We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Tactile Fremitus?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 40,855
Share

Tactile fremitus is a vibration of the human body that can be felt by placing a hand in the area where the vibration is occurring. It can be a clinical sign and may be checked for during a basic exam in the process of evaluating a patient's symptoms to start thinking about a diagnosis or more testing. There are many different kinds of tactile fremitus, with the most common being tactile vocal fremitus, felt as a buzzing in the chest and back when the patient speaks.

In the case of tactile vocal fremitus, problems with the lungs can result in increased or dampened vibration, or changes in the intensity of the vibration between the lungs. Fluid-filled lungs and chest cavities will vibrate more, for example, and a doctor can find the location of the fluid by carefully feeling the chest and back as the patient is asked to repeat a phrase designed to get the chest to vibrate. Fremitus can also be seen on ultrasound examinations, as the sounds made in the body will interfere with the transducer's signal.

Tactile fremitus can also be experienced with some kinds of inflammatory conditions. Inflamed, swollen organs may vibrate against the body when people move or cough, and this can be felt by a clinician. Crackling sounds and other clinical signs like heat, swelling, or tenderness may also be noted. With conditions involving the lungs, the patient may also be coughing, producing lots of sputum, or having trouble breathing.

Checking for tactile fremitus is a quick, easy, and low-cost way to evaluate a patient. X-rays and other medical imaging studies can be used instead, to check for issues like deposits of fluid or air, swelling, or other abnormalities. When these tests are not available or not cost-effective, or a doctor wants to perform a quick assessment, knowing how to check for tactile fremitus can be valuable. Doctors are usually taught about this and other physical examination techniques while they are in medical school, and they are offered a chance to learn on patients so they know what healthy versus unhealthy patients feel like.

Sometimes people can notice tactile fremitus. If someone has been coughing and having trouble breathing and notices that the chest seems to vibrate more during speech, this can be a sign of fluid in the lungs or around the chest cavity, and it is advisable to seek medical treatment. Patients can mention this symptom to help with the diagnosis and the doctor may verify it by asking the patient to vocalize during a physical exam.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a The Health Board researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By ImDeity — On Mar 05, 2014
What is the difference between tactile fremitus and egophony? Can someone explain?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-tactile-fremitus.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.