What is a common radiating pattern for pain in cholecystitis?

In cases of cholecystitis, pain typically begins in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and can radiate to the shoulder or back. This phenomenon occurs due to the diaphragm and the gallbladder being innervated by the same nerve roots (C3-C5). When the gallbladder becomes inflamed, the pain can trigger referred pain that is felt in these areas, most commonly the right shoulder (referred pain from diaphragmatic irritation) or the back in the interscapular region. This connection between the gallbladder and the shoulder is a classic sign in diagnosing cholecystitis.

Other options describe areas that are not commonly associated with gallbladder-related pain. For instance, pain radiating to the chest might suggest other conditions such as cardiac issues or esophageal problems. Similarly, referred pain to the neck or arms is not typically indicative of cholecystitis and generally suggests different pathologies, such as cervical spine issues or cardiac events, respectively. Therefore, the typical radiating pattern of pain resulting from cholecystitis most reliably extends to the shoulder and back.