PHYSICAL SIGNS Meaning and
Definition
-
Physical signs refer to observable and objective indicators that can be measured, assessed, or detected by sensory perception. These signs are typically manifested through various bodily changes or alterations that can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or tasted. Physical signs are important in medicine and healthcare as they are used to diagnose and monitor the presence, progression, or regression of diseases, conditions, or disorders in patients.
In clinical practice, physical signs are often used by healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians to gather crucial information about a patient's health. For example, a physician might assess a patient presenting with abdominal pain by palpating the abdomen to identify any abnormal masses or tenderness that could indicate an underlying condition such as appendicitis or peritonitis. Likewise, the observation of certain physical signs like fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), or abnormal heart sounds can provide valuable insights into specific diagnoses or clinical findings.
Physical signs can encompass a broad range of manifestations, including changes in vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate), physical appearances (e.g., rashes, swelling), clinical findings (e.g., enlarged lymph nodes, crepitation), and other measurable or observable phenomena. They are often combined with patients' symptoms, medical history, and laboratory tests to establish an accurate diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment plans.
Understanding physical signs requires proper clinical training and knowledge, as many signs can have diverse meanings depending on the context or the individual patient. Their accurate recognition and interpretation are essential for effective medical practice and ensuring optimal patient care.
-
The symptoms of disease appreciable by the methods of physical diagnosis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PHYSICAL SIGNS
- ohysical signs
- lhysical signs
- -hysical signs
- 0hysical signs
- pgysical signs
- pbysical signs
- pnysical signs
- pjysical signs
- puysical signs
- pyysical signs
- phtsical signs
- phgsical signs
- phhsical signs
- phusical signs
- ph7sical signs
- ph6sical signs
- phyaical signs
- phyzical signs
- phyxical signs
- phydical signs
Etymology of PHYSICAL SIGNS
The term "physical signs" is comprised of two words: "physical" and "signs".
1. "Physical" originates from the Latin word "physicālis", which is derived from the Greek word "phusikós". In both languages, "physicālis" and "phusikós" stem from the word "phýsis", meaning "nature" or "the natural order of things". Over time, "physical" evolved to refer to the material aspect of the natural world, often associated with the tangible or bodily.
2. "Signs" comes from the Old English word "sīǵn", which means "mark" or "token". This Old English word is related to the Old Norse word "síǵn" and the Gothic word "saiƕn", all carrying similar meanings.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
