MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Auscultation

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Auscultation

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Illustrations Definition	Information

Illustrations

Auscultation

Definition Return to top

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

Information Return to top

Auscultation is usually performed by listening through 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 is not performed with a stethoscope, but with sound waves. This is called a Doppler ultrasound. It can also be used to hear pulses in the hands and feet.

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Update Date: 2/7/2007

Updated by: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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