What is tactile fremitus used to assess in a patient?

Tactile fremitus is a clinical examination technique used by healthcare providers to assess the presence of lung abnormalities or pulmonary conditions. It involves placing hands on a patient's chest while they repeat a phrase, allowing the examiner to feel vibrations transmitted through the bronchopulmonary tree. Increased fremitus may indicate conditions such as pneumonia, where lung consolidation enhances vibration transmission, while decreased fremitus may suggest pleural effusion or pneumothorax.

The relevance of tactile fremitus specifically to pulmonary conditions stems from its ability to provide insight into the underlying lung pathology. This assessment aids in the diagnosis of respiratory issues, making it a valuable tool in pulmonary examinations. Other options like intestinal obstruction, cardiac efficiency, and abdominal masses are assessed through different clinical methods that do not involve tactile fremitus.