Overview
Percussion is a method of "tapping" on body parts during a physical examination with fingers, hands, or small instruments to evaluate the size, consistency, borders and presence or absence of fluid in body organs.
Review Date 2/2/2023
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.