Palpating: meaning, definitions and examples

medical examination

Palpating refers to the act of using one's hands to feel the body and its organs, typically during a physical examination. This technique allows healthcare providers to gather important information about a patient's health status by assessing the size, shape, firmness, or location of certain body parts. It is commonly used to examine areas such as the abdomen, where practitioners check for abnormalities in the organs. Palpating can help detect issues like tenderness, swelling, or other unusual conditions that may require further evaluation.

examining, feeling, touching

Examples of usage

• The doctor is palpating the patient's abdomen to check for any abnormalities.

• During the physical exam, the clinician will be palpating the lymph nodes.

• She was palpating the area around the injury to assess the damage.