palpation

American  

[pal-pey-shuhn] / ˌpælˈpeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of examining a person or thing by touch, especially a patient in order to make a diagnosis.

   His belly is distended, and on deep palpation I clearly feel a hard mass in the upper right quadrant.

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Etymology

Origin of palpation

First recorded in 1450–1500; from Latin palpātiōn-, stem of palpātiō “a stroking, flattery”; see palpate ¹ ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

Osteopathic schools, on the other hand, stress physical diagnosis techniques like palpation or percussion — gently tapping the abdominal area, say, to determine if the size and shape of the liver suggest inflammation.

From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2014

The sensors enabled the simulator to offer feedback never before available on palpation: the use of touch in clinical practice for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

From Slate • Nov. 7, 2013

Since the first rib is hidden behind the clavicle, the second rib is the highest rib that can be identified by palpation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

“Immediately following gas instillation,” wrote Levitt in the final paper, “air inside the pantaloons was constantly mixed via vigorous palpation over a 30-second period.”

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2013

At first elastic and resilient, it slowly decreased in volume with the assumption of a soft doughy character on palpation.

From Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900 Being Mainly a Clinical Study of the Nature and Effects of Injuries Produced by Bullets of Small Calibre by Makins, George Henry

Related Words

• ambience
• atmosphere
• aura
• feeling
• impression
• mood
• quality
• sense
• touch