Percussion (medicine)

Percussion is a method used by a doctor to find out about the changes in the thorax or abdomen. It is done by tapping on a surface to determine the underlying structure. It is one of the four methods of clinical examination: inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation. It is done with the middle finger of right hand tapping on the middle finger of the left hand, which is positioned with the whole palm on the body.

Related Topics:
Doctor - Thorax - Abdomen - Clinical examination - Inspection - Palpation - Auscultation

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There are four different percussion sounds:

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• sonorous
• hypersonorous
• relatively dull sound
• completely dull sound

The presence of a solid mass underneath the surface will produce a dull sound. Hollow, air-containing structures will lead to a more sonore sound.

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Percussion (medicine): Percussion of the thorax ►