Auscultation

(aws-kul-ta' -sli un). A method of investigation of the functions and condition of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and other organs by the sounds they themselves give out, or that are elicited by percu ion. It is called immediate, when the ear is directly applied to the part, and mediate, if by the aid of the stethoscope. Obstetric auscultation is practised in pregnancy to detect or study the fetal heart-sounds or the placental murmur. See Murmur , Respiration, Rales, Rhonchus, Broncho phony, Pectoriloquy, Egaphony, Bruit, Souffle, etc. for listening to A. -tube, in otology, an instrument I the forced pa age of air through the ear of another.