noun

auscultation

/ɔːsˈkʌlteɪʃən/ · say it: aw·SKUL·tay·shun

listening to sounds inside the body, typically with a stethoscope

In more detail

1. (noun) the act of listening to sounds inside a person's body using a stethoscope, especially to examine the heart, lungs, or other organs

Examples

The doctor performed auscultation to check the patient's heartbeat and breathing.

How to use auscultation

Auscultation is a specialized medical term used in clinical practice and education to describe the diagnostic technique of listening to internal body sounds with a stethoscope. It is most commonly applied to examining the heart and lungs but can also assess bowel sounds or blood vessels. The term appears primarily in formal medical contexts and is standard vocabulary for healthcare professionals.

Common phrases

cardiac auscultation
pulmonary auscultation
auscultation of the chest
auscultation findings
perform auscultation

Synonyms

listening · auriscultation

Word family

auscultate (verb) · auscultatory (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse auscultation with palpation (which involves touching or feeling), as both are physical examination techniques used by doctors.

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