The purpose of a physical examination is to determine the presence or absence of physical problems in a patient. Our doctors study a patient's body using these typical physical examination processes:

·       Inspection (looking at the body) - Inspection, or "looking at the patient," is the first step in examining a patient or body part during a physical exam.

·       Palpation (feeling the body with hands) - Palpation is a method of "feeling" with the hands during a physical examination. The doctor touches and feels the patient's body part with his or her hands to examine the size, consistency, texture, location, and tenderness of the organ or body part.

·       Auscultation (listening to sounds) - Auscultation is a method used to "listen" to the sounds of the body during a physical examination. It is usually performed by listening through a stethoscope. The doctor routinely listens to a patient's lungs, heart, and intestines to evaluate the frequency, intensity, duration, number, and quality of sounds.

·       Percussion (producing sounds) - Percussion is a method of "tapping" body parts during a physical examination with fingers, hands, or small instruments. The purpose is to evaluate the size, consistency, borders, and presence or absence of fluid in body organs.

o       Percussion of a body part produces a sound (like playing a drum) that indicates the type of tissue within the organ:

o       Lungs sound hollow on percussion because they are filled with air.

o       Bones and joints sound solid.

o       The abdomen sounds like a hollow organ filled with air, fluid, or solids.