MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Percussion

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Percussion

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Illustrations	Definition

Illustrations

Percussion

Definition Return to top

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.

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

Lungs sound hollow on percussion because they are filled with air.
Bones and joints sound solid.
The abdomen sounds like a hollow organ filled with air, fluid, or solids.

Update Date: 5/6/2003

Updated by: David Webner, M.D., Department of Family Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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