Auscultation is the method of listening to the sounds of the
body during a physical examination Auscultation is usually done
using a tool called a stethoscope. Health care providers
routinely listen to a patient's lungs, heart, and intestines to
evaluate the frequency, intensity, duration, number, and quality
of sounds. Health care providers also use auscultation to listen
to the heart sounds of unborn infants. This can be performed
with a stethoscope or with sound waves (called Doppler
ultrasound). It can also be used to hear pulses in the hands and
feet. David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division
of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of
Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.