The technique of examining a ?uid-?lled part of the body for the presence of a ?oating object. For example, a fetus can be pushed away by a ?nger inside the mother’s vagina. The fetus ?oats away from the examining ?nger and then bounces back on to it.
n. the technique of examining a fluid-filled part of the body to detect a floating object. During pregnancy, a sharp tap with the fingers, applied to the uterus through the abdominal wall or the vagina, causes the fetus to move away and then return to impart an answering tap to the examiner’s hand as it floats back to its original position. This confirms that swelling of the uterus is due to a fetus rather than a tumour or other abnormality.
n. the process of examining part of the body by careful feeling with the hands and fingertips. Using palpation it is possible, in many cases, to distinguish between swellings that are solid and those that are cystic (see fluctuation). Palpation is also used to discover the presence of a fetus in the uterus (see ballottement).... palpation
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