What symptom is characteristic of biliary colic?

Biliary colic is typically characterized by intermittent pain that can radiate to the right shoulder or scapula due to the irritation of the diaphragm by the inflamed biliary structures. This phenomenon is known as referred pain, where discomfort from one part of the body is felt in another area. In cases of biliary colic, the gallbladder or ducts may be obstructed, causing cramping pain in the upper right quadrant that may ascend and radiate to the right scapula. This symptom is significant in diagnosing biliary issues compared to other options, which do not specifically indicate biliary colic.

The other options describe symptoms that are not specific to biliary colic. For example, left upper quadrant pain is more commonly associated with splenic issues or gastric problems. Epigastric tenderness may indicate various gastrointestinal disorders but does not distinctly signify biliary colic. Diarrhea may occur in various gastrointestinal conditions but is not a hallmark symptom of biliary colic, which is primarily associated with pain rather than direct changes in bowel habits.