plessimeter
Noun: 1. A medical instrument used in percussion: A small, thin, flat object, historically often made of ivory or metal, that is placed against a patient's body during a physical examination. The examiner then taps (percusses) the plessimeter with another instrument (a plexor) to produce sounds that help assess the condition of the underlying organs or tissues.
The word "plessimeter" is a highly specialized medical term. It is used almost exclusively in the context of historical or traditional clinical diagnostic techniques, specifically percussion. * The physician placed the plessimeter on the patient's chest and began the examination. * In the 19th century, a plessimeter and plexor were essential tools for diagnosing chest conditions.
- The technique of using a plessimeter is called mediate percussion, as the sound is mediated (transmitted) through the instrument, as opposed to immediate percussion where the examiner taps directly on the body.
- The use of a dedicated plessimeter has largely been replaced in modern medicine by the use of the examiner's own finger as the mediating surface.
- Pleximeter: This is a common alternative spelling and synonym for "plessimeter." The two words are used interchangeably.
- Plexor (noun): The small hammer used to strike the plessimeter.
- Percussion (noun): The diagnostic technique of tapping on a body part to evaluate the underlying structure based on the sound produced.
- Pleximeter
- Percussion plate (descriptive term)
- Primary Meaning: The term refers specifically to the instrument itself used in the medical procedure.
- Contextual Meaning: Its use immediately signals a discussion of historical or specific physical examination methods. It is not used in general language.
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a small thin metal plate held against the body and struck with a plexor in percussive examinations
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