Which term refers to tenderness observed in the costovertebral area?

The term that refers to tenderness observed in the costovertebral area is CVAT, which stands for Costovertebral Angle Tenderness. This condition is often assessed during a physical examination and is significant, particularly in diagnosing kidney-related issues, such as pyelonephritis or other renal pathologies. When a clinician taps on the costovertebral angle, any tenderness reported by the patient can indicate inflammation or infection in nearby structures, particularly the kidneys.

The other options refer to different medical terms and concepts. CSF stands for cerebrospinal fluid, which is related to the central nervous system and is not associated with costovertebral area tenderness. CXR is an abbreviation for chest X-ray, a diagnostic imaging technique used to view the structures of the thoracic cavity, which does not directly relate to tenderness in the costovertebral area. CT refers to computed tomography, an imaging technique that can provide detailed pictures of many structures inside the body, but it does not define tenderness itself. Thus, CVAT is the precise term needed to describe tenderness in the costovertebral area.