Percussion (medicine)

Percussion (pronounced: per-KUH-shun) is a method used in medicine to examine the underlying parts of the body by tapping the surface. The term originates from the Latin word "percussio", meaning "to beat or strike".

History

The technique of percussion was first introduced in medicine by Leopold Auenbrugger, an Austrian physician, in the 18th century. He discovered that by tapping on the chest, different sounds could be heard which corresponded to different conditions of the lungs.

Technique

In percussion, the examiner uses their fingers to tap on the body surface. This produces sound waves which can be interpreted to determine the condition of the underlying tissues or organs. There are two types of percussion: direct and indirect. In direct percussion, the examiner taps directly on the body, while in indirect percussion, the examiner taps on their own finger placed on the body.

Uses

Percussion is commonly used in the examination of the chest and abdomen. It can help to identify abnormalities such as fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion) or enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly). It is also used to assess the size, shape, and position of the organs.

Related Terms

Auscultation: Another method used in physical examination, where the examiner listens to the internal sounds of the body.
Palpation: A method where the examiner feels the body with their hands to detect abnormalities.
Inspection: The visual examination of the body.

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Percussion (medicine)