auscultation

American  

[aw-skuhl-tey-shuhn] / ˌɔ skəlˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. the act of listening, either directly or through a stethoscope or other instrument, to sounds within the body as a method of diagnosis.

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auscultation British  

/ ˈɔːskəlˌteɪtɪv, ˌɔːskəlˈteɪʃən, ɔːˈskʌltətərɪ, ɔːˈskʌltətɪv /

noun

1. the diagnostic technique in medicine of listening to the various internal sounds made by the body, usually with the aid of a stethoscope

2. the act of listening

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• auscultatory
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of auscultation

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin auscultātiōn- (stem of auscultātiō ) “a listening, attending to,” equivalent to auscultāt(us) “listened to” (past participle of auscultāre, equivalent to aus-, a variant stem of auris “ear” + -cultā- of uncertain origin and sense) + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn-; see -ion

Explanation

Auscultation is a fancy-sounding word, but you’ve probably had it done many times. It’s that part of a physical exam when the doctor leans over you with a cold stethoscope and listens to the sounds inside your body. Auscultation traces back to the Latin word auscultare, meaning “listen.” During auscultation the doctor carefully listens to the sounds made by your heart, lungs, stomach, and intestines. By listening for subtle variations in sound, the doctor can use auscultation to diagnose different illnesses. For example, auscultation can be used to detect abnormalities such as a heart murmur or a wheezing sound in the lungs.

Example Sentences

Figure 19.30 Stethoscope Placement for Auscultation Proper placement of the bell of the stethoscope facilitates auscultation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Auscultation and percussion of the lungs may yield unsatisfactory results when the metastatic abscesses are small and scattered, for the same reason as in miliary tuberculosis.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

In the preface of his book on Mediate Auscultation, Laennec bewails the fact that men are generally neglectful of discoveries made in their own time, and fail to give them the attention they deserve.

From Makers of Modern Medicine by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Auscultation, however, as it came to us perfect from the hands of Laennec, has given us a striking revenge for any objections foreigners might make to our apathy.

From Makers of Modern Medicine by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Auscultation of the lungs is of great value in diagnosing and watching the progress of the disease.

From Common Diseases of Farm Animals by Craig, R. A., D. V. M.