Precordial examination

Precordial Examination

Precordial examination (pronunciation: pre-kor-dee-al ex-am-in-a-tion) is a crucial part of the physical examination performed by healthcare professionals to assess the heart and surrounding structures.

Etymology

The term 'precordial' originates from the Latin words 'pre' meaning 'before' and 'cordis' meaning 'heart'. Thus, it refers to the area located in front of the heart.

Procedure

The precordial examination involves several steps:

1. Inspection: The examiner observes the chest wall for any visible abnormalities such as pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum.
2. Palpation: The examiner feels the chest wall to identify any abnormal impulses or vibrations, which could indicate conditions such as cardiac hypertrophy or ventricular aneurysm.
3. Percussion: This step is rarely used in modern practice, but it involves tapping the chest wall to assess the underlying structures.
4. Auscultation: The examiner listens to the heart sounds using a stethoscope to identify any abnormal sounds or murmurs.

Related Terms

• Cardiac examination
• Physical examination
• Auscultation
• Palpation
• Inspection

See Also

• Cardiovascular system
• Heart diseases
• Clinical examination

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Precordial examination
• Wikipedia's article - Precordial examination

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