palpate
Feel for abnormalities
Palpate is a medical term meaning to examine by touch, pressing with the fingers or hands to assess what lies beneath the skin: The doctor palpated her abdomen to check for tenderness.
Physicians palpate to locate organs, detect masses, or assess pain.
The noun is palpation.
Perceive by touch
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
- fingersAppendages of the hand
- fingertipsTerminal phalanx pads
- pressureForce upon contact
sensation · texture · surface · impalpable · smooth · rough · firm · soft
Gentle, caring quality
- massQuantity of matter
- noduleRounded small lump
- lumpShapeless solid mass
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
rigidity · guarding · distension · pulsation · thrill · crepitus · induration · warmth
Torso's lower cavity
- thyroidHormone-producing neck gland
- spleenBlood-filtering abdominal organ
- liverAbdominal detoxifying organ
- kidneyBlood-filtering organ
breast · pulse · hernia · mass · nodule · cyst · lump · swelling
Involving both hands
- deepFar from surface
- superficialLacking depth or substance
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
gentle · firm · circular · gloved · sterile · fingertips · pressure · compression
Medical listening examination
- percussionSound through impact
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
evaluation · detection · screening · checkup · consultation · diagnosis · prognosis · clinical
feel
Perceive by touch
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
- fingersAppendages of the hand
- fingertipsTerminal phalanx pads
pressure · sensation · texture · surface · impalpable · smooth · rough · firm · soft · hard
tenderness
Gentle, caring quality
swelling · rigidity · guarding · distension · pulsation · thrill · crepitus · induration · warmth · coolness
abdomen
Torso's lower cavity
- thyroidHormone-producing neck gland
- spleenBlood-filtering abdominal organ
- liverAbdominal detoxifying organ
kidney · breast · pulse · hernia · mass · nodule · cyst · lump · swelling · hepatomegaly
bimanual
Involving both hands
- deepFar from surface
- superficialLacking depth or substance
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
systematic · gentle · firm · circular · gloved · sterile · fingertips · pressure · compression · depression
auscultation
Medical listening examination
- percussionSound through impact
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
assessment · evaluation · detection · screening · checkup · consultation · diagnosis · prognosis · clinical · findings