What physical examination technique involves tapping on the abdomen?

The technique of tapping on the abdomen is known as percussion, which is used to evaluate the presence of fluids or masses, as well as the borders of organs. When the abdomen is tapped, a sound is produced; a tympanitic sound is often indicative of air or gas in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a specific characteristic sound produced during percussion and helps healthcare providers assess conditions such as bowel obstruction or organ enlargement.

Though inspection involves visually examining the abdomen and palpation involves feeling the abdomen, neither of these techniques includes tapping. Auscultation, on the other hand, is related to listening for bodily sounds, typically using a stethoscope, rather than producing sounds through tapping. Understanding these distinctions is essential for grasping how physical examination techniques contribute to a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s abdominal health.