A part of the pulmonary examination used to evaluate the conduction of vibrations to the chest wall produced during speech. Palpate the posterior chest wall with the ulnar aspects of both hands while the patient says a phrase such as "toy boat". Fremitus becomes more pronounced in the presence of consolidation and less pronounced in the presence of effusion or pneumothorax. The examiner can also assess fremitus with a stethoscope on the chest wall (vocal fremitus).