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 1/16/2021
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.