Great entry. We still find it useful to tap on our patients. Percussion, as it's called, is a routine part of clinical examination. If the note is dull it means that whatever's underneath is solid, if it's resonant then it's hollow. Bowel is supposed to be hollow, as is lung, so if they are solid then it means something is going on that shouldn't be. Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
We still find it useful to tap on our patients. Percussion, as it's called, is a routine part of clinical examination.
If the note is dull it means that whatever's underneath is solid, if it's resonant then it's hollow.
Bowel is supposed to be hollow, as is lung, so if they are solid then it means something is going on that shouldn't be.