In common medical usage, it usually refers to (tactile) vocal fremitus, although there are several other types.

Lastly, vocal fremitus is performed.

Other terminology for sounds that may be auscultated in the thorax include crackles, wheezes, pleural rubs, pulmonary murmurs, egophony, whispering pectoriloquy, vocal fremitus and rales.

Patients may present with the signs of pleural effusion: dullness on percussion, diminished or absent breath sounds and vocal fremitus, and egophony at the level of the pleural liquid.

Tactile Fremitus, known by many other names including pectoral fremitus, tactile vocal fremitus, or just vocal fremitus, is a vibration felt on the patient's chest during low frequency vocalization.