noun the act of listening to sounds within the body as a method of diagnosis
In medicine, auscultation is the process of listening to sounds within the body, typically with a stethoscope, to diagnose conditions such as heart murmurs, lung infections, and bowel sounds.
In cardiology, auscultation is crucial for detecting abnormal heart sounds, murmurs, and irregular rhythms.
In gastroenterology, auscultation can be used to listen for bowel sounds, which can indicate the presence of intestinal obstruction or other gastrointestinal issues.
In pulmonology, auscultation is used to assess lung sounds and detect conditions such as wheezing, crackles, and diminished breath sounds.
A writer may use the term 'auscultation' in a metaphorical sense to describe closely examining or listening to a situation or character in their writing in order to understand it more deeply.
In psychology, auscultation may refer to the process of carefully listening to a patient's thoughts, feelings, and experiences in order to gain insight into their mental health and well-being.
In the medical field, auscultation is commonly used by doctors to listen to sounds within the body, such as the heart, lungs, or intestines, using a stethoscope. This helps in diagnosing various medical conditions.
Veterinarians also use auscultation to listen to the sounds produced by animals' bodies, such as their heart and lungs, to assess their health and diagnose any potential issues.