The stethoscope is an acoustic medical device for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of an animal body. It is often used to listen to lung and heart sounds. It is also used to listen to
intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins. In combination with a
sphygmomanometer, it is commonly used for measurements of blood pressure. Less
commonly, "mechanic's stethoscopes" are used to listen to internal
sounds made by machines, such as diagnosing a malfunctioning automobile engine
by listening to the sounds of its internal parts. Stethoscopes can also be used to check scientific
vacuum chambers for leaks, and for various other small-scale acoustic
monitoring tasks. A stethoscope that intensifies auscultatory sounds
is called phonendoscope. |