A physical examination, also known simply as a “physical,” is a process in which a physician examines various organ systems and other parts of a patient’s body. As the standard tool used to diagnose the source of diseases – and to monitor overall health – it represents the cornerstone of preventive medicine.

Children undergo regular checkups from the time they are born up through their first several years of life. During these checkups, children will be weighed and measured to make sure that their physical development is normal for their age group. Children also will be immunized according to a predetermined schedule and will be screened for a wide range of disorders. For instance, they will be screened for blood disorders (e.g., anemia, cholesterol), lead poisoning and nutritional disorders.

A physician, often a pediatrician or family practitioner, will also look for signs of illness that can be detected by simply looking, touching and listening to the child’s body. It is far better to prevent a disease or condition than to treat it, and better to treat it early before it becomes worse.

During a physical examination, the physician will assess a number of areas, including any areas of particular concern. A basic physical examination is standard whenever a child visits a physician and includes assessment of the following elements:

• Vital signs (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure)
  
  
• General appearance
  
  
• Eyes, ears, nose, throat and mouth
  
  
• Neck, particularly the thyroid gland and cervical lymph nodes
  
  
• Respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems (breathing, circulation and digestion)
  
  
• Breasts (females and males)
  
  
• Genitals
  
  
• Muscles, joints, bones and skin
  
  
• Neurological conditions