Which of the following is a TART finding?

• A. Tenderness
• B. Range of motion
• C. Edema
• D. Temperature changes

Answer: (A)

In palpation for somatic dysfunction, the TART findings—Tenderness, Asymmetry, Restriction of range of motion, and Texture changes—are the signs you document to identify dysfunction. Tenderness is a direct palpatory cue that tissue sensitivity or pain is present when you press or scan an area. It’s a clear, identifiable clue that something about the tissue is abnormal and worthy of further assessment, which is why it’s classified as a TART finding.

The other options don’t fit as cleanly. Edema and temperature changes can accompany dysfunction but aren’t core TART criteria themselves. Range of motion is something you evaluate, but in TART it’s specifically “Restriction of range of motion” rather than ROM in general. So tenderness best matches the defined TART finding among the choices.