MODEL RELEASED. Stethoscope. View of a gloved hand holding a stethoscope. This is an essential piece of medical equipment. A stethoscope is used to listen to sounds within the human chest. It consists of two earpieces (not seen here), tubing (top right) and a round sound-detecting device with diaphragm (centre). By pressing the diaphragm against the patient's chest, sounds made by the heart and lungs can be detected. A stethoscope is useful in the diagnosis of respiratory ailments of the lungs, and abnormalities of the heart. The gloves are common feature in modern medicine, they are used to maintain sterile conditions.