1. A simple technique in which a doctor presses lightly on the surface of the body to feel the organs or tissues underneath: Mary's physician was using palpation in order to determine if her kidney had enlarged or if there were any tumors and to make sure that her condition was normal or needed medical care.
2. An examination by touching or manipulating a section of the body with the hands or fingers in order to ascertain its condition for medical diagnosis: Dr. Brown was feeling Joe's pulse beat to determine if his palpation was normal.
3. Etymology: from Latin palpationem, "stroking"; from palpare, "to touch gently".

Fingertip contacts of the abdominal and thoracic surfaces of a person's body to determine the condition of the underlying organs that exist there: The internist used the method of light-touch palpation to feel if Sally's stomach and intestines were in normal condition or not.

The probing or physical manipulation of a ptotic or enlarged kidney with one hand while the other hand is placed under the lumbar region, the subject being examined in the dorsal decubitus or reclining position: Jack was feeling quite ill and when he was examined by his physician, a lumbar palpation was used to determine the condition of his internal organs and especially of the organ that cleans blood and removes the waste.