What is the term for the process of listening to heart sounds?

The process of listening to heart sounds is called auscultation. This method involves using a stethoscope to amplify and clarify the sounds made by the heart, such as normal heartbeats and any abnormal sounds like murmurs or irregular rhythms. Auscultation is a critical component of a physical examination, allowing healthcare providers to assess the heart's function and detect potential cardiovascular issues. It relies on the principle that sound waves produced by the heart can be transmitted through the body, allowing for diagnostic insights without invasive procedures.

Other terms in the options refer to different assessment techniques: palpation involves feeling the body with hands to assess conditions like pulse and tenderness, inspection refers to visually examining the body for signs of disease or abnormalities, and percussion involves tapping on the body to determine the underlying structure by the sound produced. These techniques serve their unique purposes in clinical evaluation but do not involve the auditory assessment provided by auscultation.