Procedure
Sit down in front of the patient. Ensure that there is sufficient light to inspect the area in question.
- Inspect the skin and the subdermal tissue of the neck and note the presence of any fistular openings and/or swellings. Inspect the cartilage structures of the larynx for shape, symmetry and swellings.
- Take the larynx sideways between the fingers of your palpating hand [Figure 64] and palpate the contours. Look for any irregularities, symmetry, swellings and tenderness upon palpation. If you feel a swelling, describe its size, perimeters, consistency, surface, whether or not it has invaded the surrounding tissue.
Figure 64
- Subsequently, stand behind the patient and palpate the surface of the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage [Figure 65]. The focus points are the same as above.
Figure 65
- Finally, place the index fingers of both hands around the lower poles of the thyroid cartilage and ask the patient to swallow. In this way you will be able to feel whether the thyroid gland is enlarged because swallowing moves the larynx upwards.
