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

• 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

He went on to invent the stethoscope and is considered the father of auscultation.

From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2016

It can detect and transmit lung sounds to a smartphone, tablet or computer wirelessly, and allows hands-free auscultation of the chest.

From Forbes • Jul. 15, 2014

Septal defects are commonly first detected through auscultation, listening to the chest using a stethoscope.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

During auscultation, it is common practice for the clinician to ask the patient to breathe deeply.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

There was an auscultation accomplished with a wineglass.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides