Palpation is a method of examination in which the examiner feels the size or shape or firmness or location of something (of body parts when the examiner is a health professional). Palpation is used by medical doctors, chiropractic doctors, and even acupuncturists and herbalists particularly for thoracic and abdominal examinations, but also for examination of edema and palpation of pulses.

See also:

• Physical examination
• Inspection (medicine)
• Percussion (medicine)
• Auscultation

Medical tests

Palpation | Palpatie | Palpacja | Palpation