What instrument is used for auscultation, or listening to sounds within the body?

The instrument used for auscultation, which involves listening to sounds produced within the body, is the stethoscope. This device is essential in the medical field and allows healthcare providers to listen to the heart, lungs, and other organ sounds, providing critical information about a patient's health. By placing the chest piece on the patient's body, the stethoscope magnifies internal sounds, enabling the clinician to detect abnormalities such as murmurs, wheezing, or abnormal lung sounds, which might indicate various medical conditions.

In contrast, other instruments listed serve different purposes. An electrocardiogram is used to measure the electrical activity of the heart, providing a graphical representation of heart rhythms rather than listening to sounds. A sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure, offering crucial information about cardiovascular health, but it does not capture auditory information. An oximeter is utilized to measure the oxygen saturation level in the blood, typically through the skin, and does not involve auscultation at all. Each of these tools plays a vital role in patient assessment, but the stethoscope remains the primary device specifically designed for auscultation.