What is palpation?

Palpation is a clinical examination technique used in healthcare that involves using touch to assess the body. This method allows practitioners to gather information about the structures beneath the skin, such as muscles, bones, organs, and other soft tissues. Through palpation, healthcare providers can identify abnormalities, tenderness, swelling, or pain, and evaluate the size and consistency of various anatomical structures.

Using touch is essential in many aspects of medical examinations and can aid in diagnosis and treatment planning. For instance, clinicians often palpate areas to detect heat, swelling, or fluctuations in tissue, which can indicate conditions like inflammation or injury. This hands-on approach is vital in sports medicine, where understanding muscle and joint conditions can impact an athlete's recovery and performance.

The other methods mentioned—using tools for examination, analyzing body fluids, and performing surgery—are distinct from palpation and serve different purposes in the diagnostic process. Each of these techniques may play a role in comprehensive patient care, but palpation specifically focuses on tactile assessment.