Stethoscopes
Stethoscopes
A stethoscope (/stɛˈθɒskoʊp/; from the Greek words stethos (chest) and scope (examination)) is a medical device used for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of a patient's body. It is typically used to listen to heart sounds and breathing, though it can also be used to listen to intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins.
Etymology
The term "stethoscope" is derived from the Greek words stethos (chest) and scope (examination). It was coined by the French physician René Laennec at the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris in 1816.
Types of Stethoscopes
There are several types of stethoscopes, including:
- Acoustic stethoscope: This is the most common type of stethoscope. It transmits sound from the chest piece through air-filled hollow tubes to the listener's ears.
- Electronic stethoscope: This type of stethoscope can amplify body sounds to make them more audible. Some models can also record sounds for later playback and analysis.
- Fetal stethoscope: Also known as a fetoscope, this stethoscope is used to listen to the heartbeat of a fetus during pregnancy.
Related Terms
- Auscultation: The process of listening to the internal sounds of the body, typically using a stethoscope.
- Phonocardiogram: A recording of the sounds and murmurs made by the heart using a machine called a phonocardiograph, which is essentially a specialized stethoscope.
- Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung, which can often be detected using a stethoscope.
- Heart murmur: An unusual sound heard during a heartbeat, often detected using a stethoscope.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Stethoscopes
- Wikipedia's article - Stethoscopes
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