Medical Inspection

Medical Inspection

In medicine, inspection, derived from the Latin word "Inspectio" meaning the act of beholding, entails a thorough and deliberate visual examination of the patient, utilizing only the naked eye.

During inspection, the examiner carefully observes:

External indicators:

- Body features and symmetry
- Nutritional status or weight
- Skin coloration
- Respiratory rate and depth
- Movement of the abdomen and chest during breathing
- Distribution of hair
- Deviation of the rectus muscle
- Characteristics of the umbilicus (position, shape, color, presence of any abnormalities)
- Gait and speech patterns

Gross abnormalities:

- Irregular contours
- Scars and stretch marks
- Visible masses
- Discoloration
- Swelling
- Tremors

In medical practice, inspection extends beyond visual cues alone. It also involves:

- Listening for any audible sounds produced by the patient
- Detecting any odors that may be present