The present paper studies a number of sound metaphors which are used in the diagnostic process. When a physical assessment is performed, percussion and auscultation are two techniques/methods of clinical examination used. Both percussion and auscultation involve actions which identify internal sounds of the body, coupled with the extra or abnormal
sounds of varying tonal quality. Drawing parallels between these abnormal sounds and real-world phenomena, specialists denominate these sounds via metaphoric constructs. In this case metaphors act as time-efficient tools in the diagnostic process and distinctive markers of the identified pathology.