Definition

During a physical examination, a health care provider checks your body to determine if you do or do not have a physical problem.

A physical examination usually includes:

• Inspection (looking at the body)
• Palpation (feeling the body with fingers or hands)
• Auscultation (listening to sounds, usually with a stethoscope)
• Percussion (producing sounds, usually by tapping on specific areas of the body)

References

Swartz MH, Swartz TH. The physical examination. In: Swartz MH, ed. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 6.