Diagnostics & Procedures
Stethoscope
1 Definition of Stethoscope
Meaning of Stethoscope: An instrument used to listen to sounds inside the body.
A stethoscope transmits internal body sounds to the listener’s ears. It is commonly used to assess heart sounds, breath sounds, bowel sounds, and blood pressure measurements.
Used in a sentence
The clinician placed the stethoscope over the upper chest.
Good to know
Electronic and acoustic stethoscopes use different mechanisms to transmit or amplify sound.
Word origin
Where “Stethoscope” comes from
From Greek stēthos, “chest,” and skopein, “to examine.”