Subjective fremitus refers to the vibrations that individuals feel when placed over the chest or back of a person during a physical examination. The spelling of this word is /səbˈdʒektɪv ˈfrɛmɪtəs/, with the emphasis on the second syllable of "subjective" and the first syllable of "fremitus." The IPA phonetic transcription helps to accurately convey the pronunciation of this medical term and ensures that healthcare professionals can effectively communicate with one another regarding this assessment technique.
Subjective fremitus refers to the assessment of vibration or palpable sensation felt by an individual during the physical examination of the body. It is a subjective measure as it relies on the patient's perception of the sensation rather than objective clinical measures.
Fremitus is a term used in medicine to describe the vibratory sensations that are generated by the flow of air or fluid within a particular body area. Specifically, it refers to the vibration that is felt when the patient speaks, coughs, or breathes in a particular region, such as the chest.
Subjective fremitus is assessed by asking the patient to report any sensation or vibration that they can feel when performing these activities. For example, the healthcare professional may ask the patient to place their hand on their chest and describe any vibrations they can feel when they say "99."
This information can be helpful in diagnosing certain conditions. For instance, an increased subjective fremitus may indicate the presence of lung consolidation, which can occur in conditions like pneumonia. On the other hand, a decrease in subjective fremitus may suggest the presence of air or fluid accumulation, such as in a pneumothorax or pleural effusion.
It is important to note that subjective fremitus alone is not a definitive diagnostic test, and it must be used in conjunction with other clinical findings and diagnostic tests to arrive at a final diagnosis.
Vibration felt within the chest by the patient himself, when humming with the mouth closed.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "subjective fremitus" is a phrase composed of two distinct terms: "subjective" and "fremitus".
1. "Subjective" is derived from the Latin word "subjectivus", which means "pertaining to a subject" or "relating to personal experience or perception". It is formed from the word "subjectum", meaning "subject" or "thing subjected". In English, "subjective" refers to something influenced by personal feelings, opinions, or experiences.
2. "Fremitus" is derived from the Latin word "fremitus", which means "a roaring" or "a deep hollow sound". It is derived from the verb "fremere", meaning "to roar" or "to murmur".