MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Auscultation

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Auscultation

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Illustrations Definition	Information

Illustrations

Auscultation

Definition Return to top

Auscultation is the method of listening to the sounds of the body during a physical examination.

Information Return to top

Auscultation is usually done using a tool called a stethoscope. Health care providers routinely listen to a patient's lungs, heart, and intestines to evaluate the frequency, intensity, duration, number, and quality of sounds.

Health care providers also use auscultation to listen to the heart sounds of unborn infants. This can be performed with a stethoscope or with sound waves (called Doppler ultrasound). It can also be used to hear pulses in the hands and feet.

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Update Date: 5/21/2009

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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