Author: A. Chandrasekhar, MD

Consultant: R. Gunnar, MD and R. Lichtenberg, MD

Inspect the precordium tangentially while the patient is laying flat in bed from either the patient's head or foot for symmetry and pulsations.

Normal:

The precordium is symmetrical.
In thin individuals, the apical impulse is recognizable.
Apical impulse is located in 5th interspace just internal to midclavicular line.
The left precordium will dip slightly during systole.