When is percussion tone loudest?

Percussion tone is loudest over air because when you percuss an area filled with air, the sound waves resonate more strongly compared to other substances. This is due to the fact that air is less dense than fluids and solid tissues, allowing the sound to travel with greater intensity and volume. When inspecting lungs, for example, the presence of air in the alveoli creates a clear, loud resonance when percussed, which indicates that there is no fluid or mass obstructing the space.

In contrast, areas over solid organs, fluid, or muscle do not produce the same intensity of sound. Solid organs create a duller sound due to their density, while fluid-filled spaces dampen sound transmission because the waves are absorbed by the fluid. Muscle also provides a duller tone compared to air, even though it might be slightly louder than fluid, it still does not reach the intensity seen with air-filled areas. Therefore, understanding the properties of air, fluid, and solid tissues is crucial for accurate assessment and diagnosis in clinical practice.