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Veterinary Medicine vocabulary · Clinical Examination

Physical examination

Meaning in veterinary medicine, with examples

/ˈfɪzɪkəl ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃən/nounCore term

In veterinary medicine, physical examination means: A systematic check of an animal's body by looking, feeling and listening: temperature, heart and lungs, eyes, ears, mouth, skin, lymph nodes and abdomen.

In Turkish: fiziksel muayene, klinik muayene

How it is used

Often shortened to physical exam, PE or clinical exam. Vets do, perform or carry out a physical examination and record the findings, writing NAD (no abnormalities detected) for normal body systems.

Example sentences

  1. On physical examination, the cat was quiet, about five percent dehydrated and had a heart murmur.

  2. A full physical examination is part of every annual vaccination visit.

Common collocations

  • perform a physical examination
  • full physical examination
  • physical examination findings
  • on physical examination
  • historyThe information a vet collects from the owner about an animal's past and current health: when the problem started, diet, vaccinations, medicines and any changes the owner has noticed.
  • vital signsThe basic measurements that show how well an animal's body is working: temperature, heart rate, pulse and breathing rate.
  • palpateTo examine part of an animal's body by feeling it carefully with the hands or fingers, for example the abdomen, the lymph nodes or a swelling.
  • auscultateTo listen to the sounds of the heart, lungs or gut with a stethoscope as part of an examination.
  • mucous membranesThe moist pink linings inside the mouth, eyelids, nose and genitals. Vets look at their colour, especially on the gums, to judge circulation and oxygen levels.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Clinical Examination

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.