Percussion

percussion /per·cus·sion/ (per-kush´un) the act of striking a part with short, sharp blows as an aid in diagnosing the condition of the underlying parts by the sound obtained.

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auscultatory percussion  auscultation of the sound produced by percussion.

immediate percussion  that in which the blow is struck directly against the body surface.

mediate percussion  that in which a pleximeter is used.

palpatory percussion  a combination of palpation and percussion, affording tactile rather than auditory impressions.

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per·cus·sion (pr-kshn)

n.

A method of medical diagnosis in which various areas of the body, especially the chest, back, and abdomen, are tapped with the finger or a plexor to determine by resonance the condition of internal organs.

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Percussion

An assessment method in which the surface of the body is struck with the fingertips to obtain sounds that can be heard or vibrations that can be felt. It can determine the position, size, and consistency of an internal organ. It is done over the chest to determine the presence of normal air content in the lungs, and over the abdomen to evaluate air in the loops of the intestine.

Mentioned in: Chest Physical Therapy, Empyema, Physical Examination

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percussion (perkush´n),

n the act of striking an area, a structure, or an organ as an aid in diagnosing a diseased condition by the sensations reported by the patient and by the sounds heard by the examiner.

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percussion

in veterinary diagnosis, striking a part of the body with short, sharp blows of the fingers in order to determine the size, position and density of the underlying parts by the sound obtained. Percussion is most commonly used on the chest and back for examination of the heart and lungs. For example, since the heart is not resonant and the adjacent lungs are, when the examiner's fingers strike the chest over the heart the sound waves will change in pitch. This serves as a guide to the precise location and size of the heart. The value of percussion in animals is limited by their haircoat, their reluctance to cooperate and their anatomy. Radiology and ultrasonographic imaging have pretty much supplanted the percussionist.

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auscultatory percussion

auscultation of the sound produced by percussion. See also auscultation with percussion.

immediate percussion

that in which the blow is struck directly against the body surface.

mediate percussion

that in which a pleximeter is used.

palpatory percussion

a combination of palpation and percussion, affording tactile rather than auditory impressions. See also ballottement.