What does "Percussion" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.
Percussion in medicine is a method doctors use to check the health of certain body parts by tapping on them. The sound that comes back can tell the doctor a lot about what's going on inside. For example, if a doctor taps on a healthy lung, it will make a hollow sound, but if there's fluid in the lung, it will make a flat sound. This technique is often used to check the lungs and abdomen.
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