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Percussion (medicine)

 

 
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Percussion (medicine)
 
 
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Percussion is a method of tapping on a surface to determine the underlying structure, and is used in clinical examinations to assess the condition of the thorax
Thorax

The thorax is a division of an animal's body that lies between the head and the abdomen.In mammals, the thorax is the region of the body formed by the sternum, the thoracic vertebrae and the ribs....
 or abdomen
Abdomen

In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity....
. It is one of the four methods of clinical examination, together with inspection
Inspection (medicine)

In medicine, inspection is the thorough and unhurried visualization of the client. This requires the use of the naked eye.During inspection, the examiner observes:...
, palpation
Palpation

Palpation is used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location. Palpation should not be confused with palpitation, which is an awareness of the beating of the heart....
 and auscultation
Auscultation

Auscultation is the technical term for listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually using a stethoscope; based on the Latin verb auscultare "to listen"....
. It is done with the middle finger of the right hand tapping on the middle finger of the left hand, while the left palm is on the body.

There are two types of percussion: direct, which uses only one or two fingers, and indirect, which uses the middle/flexor finger.






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Percussion is a method of tapping on a surface to determine the underlying structure, and is used in clinical examinations to assess the condition of the thorax
Thorax

The thorax is a division of an animal's body that lies between the head and the abdomen.In mammals, the thorax is the region of the body formed by the sternum, the thoracic vertebrae and the ribs....
 or abdomen
Abdomen

In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity....
. It is one of the four methods of clinical examination, together with inspection
Inspection (medicine)

In medicine, inspection is the thorough and unhurried visualization of the client. This requires the use of the naked eye.During inspection, the examiner observes:...
, palpation
Palpation

Palpation is used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location. Palpation should not be confused with palpitation, which is an awareness of the beating of the heart....
 and auscultation
Auscultation

Auscultation is the technical term for listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually using a stethoscope; based on the Latin verb auscultare "to listen"....
. It is done with the middle finger of the right hand tapping on the middle finger of the left hand, while the left palm is on the body.

There are two types of percussion: direct, which uses only one or two fingers, and indirect, which uses the middle/flexor finger. There are four types of percussion sounds: resonant, hyper-resonant, stony dull or dull. A dull sound indicates the presence of a solid mass under the surface. A more resonant sound indicates hollow, air-containing structures.

Percussion was initially used to distinguish between empty and filled barrels of liquor, and Dr. Leopold Auenbrugger
Leopold Auenbrugger

Josef Leopold Auenbrugger or Leopold von Auenbrugg , Austrian physician who invented percussion as a diagnosis technique. On the strength of this discovery, he is considered one of the founders of modern medicine....
 introduced the technique to medicine.

Percussion of the thorax


It is used to diagnose pneumothorax
Pneumothorax

In medicine , a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, is a potential medical emergency caused by accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity....
, emphysema
Emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . It is often caused by exposure to toxin Chemical substance, including long-term exposure to tobacco smoking....
 and other disease
Disease

A disease or medical condition is an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions, associated with specific symptoms and Medical signs....
s. It can be used to access the respiratory mobility of the thorax.

Percussion of the abdomen


It is used to find whether any organ
Organ (anatomy)

In biology, an organ is a biological tissue that performs a specific function or group of functions. Usually there is a main tissue and sporadic tissues....
 is enlarged and similar. It is based on the principle of setting tissue and spaces in between at vibration. The sound thus generated is used to determine if the tissue is healthy or pathological.

See also

  • Clinical examination
  • Inspection (medicine)
    Inspection (medicine)

    In medicine, inspection is the thorough and unhurried visualization of the client. This requires the use of the naked eye.During inspection, the examiner observes:...
  • Palpation
    Palpation

    Palpation is used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location. Palpation should not be confused with palpitation, which is an awareness of the beating of the heart....
  • Auscultation
    Auscultation

    Auscultation is the technical term for listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually using a stethoscope; based on the Latin verb auscultare "to listen"....
  • Pleximeter
    Pleximeter

    A Pleximeter is a device used in percussion to absorb the energy generated by the strike from the plexor.It can be made of wood, ivory, or other substances....