Which physical assessment technique involves using touch to assess bodily structures?

The technique that involves using touch to assess bodily structures is palpation. This method allows the healthcare professional to gather information about the size, shape, firmness, and location of organs or masses within the body. By applying varying degrees of pressure, the practitioner can detect abnormalities such as tenderness, swelling, or irregularities in the tissue.

During a physical examination, palpation is often used in conjunction with other techniques. For instance, it may follow inspection, where initial visual assessments are made. While auscultation involves listening to internal sounds, often using a stethoscope, and percussion involves tapping on the body to identify differences in sound that indicate fluid levels or organ position, neither of these techniques employs touch in the same direct manner as palpation does. Thus, palpation is specifically characterized by its tactile approach to assessing bodily structures.