Percussion of chest

Posterior Chest - Technique

• Start at the apices, percussing side to side in interspaces, moving downwards

• Avoid percussion over the scapulae and ribs.

Percussion Sounds

• Resonance: Low pitched, clear hallow normal sound over healthy lung tissue.

• Dullness: Soft muffled thud,  Indicates fluid or solid mass (e.g., pleural effusion, clavicle).

• Hyperresonance: Lower pitch booming sound, Indicates air trapping (e.g., pneumothorax).

• Tympany: Indicates air-filled space (e.g., stomach).

Anterior Chest - Technique

• Percuss over supraclavicular areas and interspaces, moving downward

• Females - Do not percuss directly over female breasts, or else it will produce a dull sound. Move it over slightly using edge of stationary hand

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