What is the difference between direct and indirect percussion?

Question

Direct percussion uses one hand; indirect uses two.

Direct percussion uses only natural hearing; indirect uses a stethoscope.

Direct percussion is performed by the physician themselves; indirect is performed by a nurse or even the patient themselves.

Direct percussion measures direct sound; indirect percussion relies on echoes.

Answer 1

Direct percussion involves directly striking the body part being examined, such as tapping on the chest or abdomen with the fingertips, to produce a sound. Indirect percussion involves pressing a finger against the body part and then tapping on the finger to produce a sound. Both methods are used to assess the density and resonance of underlying structures in the body, but indirect percussion is often more commonly used in clinical practice due to its more controlled and accurate results.