Physical examination
During a physical examination, a health care provider checks your body to determine if you do or do not have a physical problem.
A physical examination usually includes:
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Inspection (looking at the body)
Inspection
In medical terms, "inspection" means to look at the person or body part. It is the first step in a physical exam.
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Palpation (feeling the body with fingers or hands)
Palpation
Palpation is a method of feeling with the fingers or hands during a physical examination. The health care provider touches and feels your body to ex...
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Auscultation (listening to sounds, usually with a stethoscope)
Auscultation
Auscultation is listening to the sounds of the body during a physical examination.
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Percussion (producing sounds, usually by tapping on specific areas of the body)
Percussion
Percussion is a method of tapping body parts with fingers, hands, or small instruments as part of a physical examination. It is done to determine:Th...
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References
Swartz MH, Swartz TH. The physical examination. In: Swartz MH, ed. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 6.
Review Date: 2/2/2023
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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