Befunde

Befunde is the plural form of the German noun Befund, which denotes a finding, observation, or result established during investigation, examination, or analysis. The term stems from the verb befnden (to determine or locate) and is used across professional and academic contexts to refer to pieces of information that have been observed, measured, or inferred.

In medical contexts, a Befund is an assessment or diagnostic conclusion documented in a report. This can include radiological Befunde from imaging studies, laboratory Befunde from tests, or clinical Befunde from examinations. Medical Befunde are typically described as normal or abnormal and may be discussed in terms of provisional versus final Befund, reflecting the evolving nature of patient assessment.

Beyond medicine, Befunde are used in fields such as archaeology, geology, and forensics to denote evidence, artefacts, or observations recovered during fieldwork or analysis. For example, archaeological Befunde can encompass artefacts, features, or stratigraphic data that contribute to interpretation. In research and academia, Befunde refer to the findings or results presented in a study, article, or report, often accompanied by discussion of their significance and limitations.

The term emphasizes that what is reported as a Befund is an interpreted result rather than raw data alone, requiring professional judgment for context and implications. Befunde is widely used in German-language professional discourse and is typically contrasted with terms like Ergebnis (result) or Diagnose (diagnosis) in appropriate contexts.