Definition
The act of listening to internal body sounds with a stethoscope. A doctor's socially acceptable excuse to get uncomfortably close to your chest while you breathe awkwardly on command.
Example Usage
During auscultation, the physician detected crackles in the lower lung fields, which sounded exactly as appetizing as the name suggests.
Origin
From Latin 'auscultare,' meaning 'to listen'
Fun Fact
Before the stethoscope's invention in 1816, doctors performed auscultation by placing their ears directly on patients' chests, which was both less effective and far more awkward.
Source: Physical examination and clinical skills terminology
Related Terms
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