palpation
Hands-on medical assessment
Palpation is examining the body by touch, pressing with the fingers or hands to feel underlying structures.
Doctors use palpation to check for lumps, tenderness, organ size, or abnormal masses: The physician detected an enlarged spleen through abdominal palpation.
The technique is fundamental to physical examination.
Methodical assessment or review
- tactileOf the touching sense
- fingertipsTerminal phalanx pads
- fingersAppendages of the hand
- handsGripping limbs' extremities
palmar · probing · manipulation · pressure · indentation · compression · bimanual · percussion
Gentle, caring quality
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- massQuantity of matter
- noduleRounded small lump
- enlargementIncrease in size
distension · edema · crepitus · guarding · rigidity · rebound · ascites · pulsation
Torso's lower cavity
- lymphInterstitial body fluid
- nodesPoints of connection
- thyroidHormone-producing neck gland
- breastUpper front torso
prostate · liver · spleen · pulse · hernia · organ · gland · tissue
Formal evaluation of worth
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- detectionAct of finding something
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- abnormalityDeviation from expected state
lesion · inflammation · pathology · anomaly · localization · differentiation · clinical · sign
examination
Methodical assessment or review
- tactileOf the touching sense
- fingertipsTerminal phalanx pads
- fingersAppendages of the hand
hands · palmar · probing · manipulation · pressure · indentation · compression · bimanual · percussion · deep
tenderness
Gentle, caring quality
enlargement · distension · edema · crepitus · guarding · rigidity · rebound · ascites · pulsation · thrill
abdomen
Torso's lower cavity
breast · prostate · liver · spleen · pulse · hernia · organ · gland · tissue · mass
assessment
Formal evaluation of worth
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- detectionAct of finding something
- screeningEvaluative selection process
abnormality · lesion · inflammation · pathology · anomaly · localization · differentiation · clinical · sign · physical
pain
Bodily or emotional distress
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
referred · radiating · localized · sharp · dull · aching · throbbing · point · trigger · response
- medical caresurgery, examination, injection, prescription, medication
- Dental Examsoral exam, dental x-rays, bitewing, cavity check, dental probe
- diagnosticsCT scan, rapid test, blood test, physical exam, antigen test
- livestock breedingbreeding, artificial insemination, insemination, mating, semen
- medical examsphysical exam, annual physical, annual checkup, checkup, wellness visit
- physical examauscultation, percussion, vital signs, vitals, pulse
palpationimaging
Producing visual representations
auscultation · visualization · inspection · radiography · ultrasound