Which percussion note is characteristic of healthy lung tissue?

The characteristic percussion note of healthy lung tissue is a resonant sound. This sound indicates that the underlying lung tissue is functioning normally and contains air, which is essential for adequate gas exchange. In healthy individuals, the lungs are filled with air, allowing for vibrations that produce a resonant tone when percussed. This finding is typically associated with normal pulmonary conditions.

In contrast, other types of percussion notes, such as dull and flat sounds, suggest denser tissues or fluid, which can occur in conditions such as pleural effusion or consolidation. A tympanic sound, which is more typically associated with areas containing a significant amount of air, like the stomach, would not reflect healthy lung tissue. Therefore, the presence of a resonant sound during percussion is an important clinical sign of normal lung function.