Corpus: Percussion

Percussion is a part of the physical examination in which the surface of the body is tapped to create vibrations in the underlying tissue. The resulting sound provides information about the size, density, and characteristics of the organs or tissues being examined.

Percussion can be performed using a percussion hammer, the hands, or the fingers. Another method involves the use of a plessimeter. The most commonly used technique, due to its simplicity, is finger-finger percussion, where one finger acts as a striking instrument against another placed on the patient's body.

• Chest percussion
• Abdominal percussion

In dentistry, percussion involves tapping a tooth directly with the handle of a metallic instrument to assess its condition.