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.

---

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

---

Other Word 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 consists in the examination of the lungs with the ear applied closely to the chest wall.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.

Auscultation, aws-kult-ā′shun, n. the art of discovering the condition of the lungs and heart by applying the ear or the stethoscope to the part.—v.i. to examine by auscultation.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

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

Auscultation is the act of listening, and may be either mediate or immediate.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry