Definition
A physical examination technique involving tapping on body surfaces to assess underlying structures by sound quality, turning doctors into human sonar devices. It's drumming with a diagnostic purpose.
Example Usage
Percussion revealed dullness over the right lower lung field, suggesting pleural effusion or consolidation.
Origin
From Latin 'percussio' (striking), from 'percutere' (to strike through)
Fun Fact
Different tissues produce different sounds—resonant (normal lung), hyperresonant (pneumothorax), dull (fluid or solid mass), and tympanic (air-filled stomach)—making percussion a surprisingly informative bedside tool.
Source: Physical examination and clinical skills standards
Related Terms
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