Resumo

BAEZ SALDANA, Renata et al. Thoracic exploration: a guide to decipher their messages. Rev. Fac. Med. (Méx.) [online]. 2016, vol.59, n.6, pp.43-57. ISSN 2448-4865.

Thoracic exploration has a sequence of steps that help the clinician to integrate its findings in syndromes, which will lead the physician to better diagnosis. This year the stethoscope, invented by René Laënec, turns 200 years old and we use this opportunity to remember him and provide a detailed description of the thoracic exploration. To have access to more sophisticated diagnostic tools should not diminish the relevance of a direct exploration of the patient, which is a very important step in the patient-physician relationship.

Palavras-chave : Laënec; toracic exploration; stethoscope.