The examination of the chest is a singular task where all the four basic constituents of clinical assessment (inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation) have equal importance.

This tutorial shows the sequence of the examination steps with a complete clinical examination of a patient with a respiratory disorder, and common short cases presented in the MRCP examination together with their major clinical signs. Some of the suggested techniques of clinical examination are highlighted.

Dr M Afzal Mir, Senior Lecturer and Consultant Physician, UHW, Cardiff.