palpates

Palpation is a clinical method of examining the body by touch, used to assess texture, size, consistency, tenderness, and location of structures beneath the skin. The verb palpate is used to describe the action, and palpates is the third-person singular present tense. Palpation can be performed with varying degrees of pressure and in different techniques.

Common methods include light palpation, which uses gentle pressure to detect surface characteristics and tenderness; deep palpation, which applies firmer pressure to assess deeper organs and structures; and bimanual palpation, where two hands work together to enclose and examine an area. Palpation is frequently used on the abdomen to evaluate organs, the chest for lungs and heart, the pelvis, lymph nodes, and soft tissues, and to check peripheral pulses in the limbs.

Findings from palpation can indicate normal or abnormal conditions. Tenderness, guarding, or rebound may suggest inflammation or injury; irregular masses or organomegaly can indicate pathology; texture and temperature can reflect infection, edema, or circulatory changes. Palpation is often combined with other examination methods and imaging to reach a diagnosis.

Preparation and safety are important. The examiner should explain the procedure, obtain consent, warm hands, and use comfortable positioning. Gloves and lubricant may be used when appropriate, and care is taken to avoid causing unnecessary pain, especially in injured or post-surgical areas.

Documentation typically records palpation findings in medical notes, describing location, quality, and reproducibility of any findings. In dental, veterinary, and physical therapy contexts, palpation serves similar purposes, adapted to the relevant anatomy. It remains a fundamental clinical skill despite advances in imaging.