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Examining the neck
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The index finger is on the cricothyroid membrane. The Thyroid
cartilage (Adam's Apple) is above the finger, and the Cricoid cartilage is
below the finger. The two soft lobes of the thyroid gland, fused in the
midline below the cricoid cartilage, rise up on either side of the
trachea.
Palpate the thyroid gland from behind the patient.
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Thyroid Gland
It is shaped like a butterfly, and lies in the anterior part of the neck,
below the larynx. It consists of two lobes, one on each side of the upper trachea,
connected by a strip of tissue called the isthmus. The thyroid secretes the
iodine containing hormone THYROXIN, which controls the rate of cell metabolism.
Examine the Neck
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Inspect the neck for masses or asymmetry.
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Evaluate range of motion and palpate for midline position of the trachea.
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Inspect and palpate the thyroid gland. It should be smooth,
symmetrical, and not enlarged.
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Inspect and palpate for lymph notes.
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If a node is enlarged or tender look for a source in the area that it drains. Tender nodes suggest inflammation; hard or fixed nodes suggest malignancy. Is it a node, muscle or artery: Remember you should be able to roll a node in two directions —up and down, and side to side — a muscle or artery will not pass this test.
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Check for nuchal rigidity — touch chin to sternum. Pain is a sign of meningeal irritation.
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Approved for public release;
Distribution is unlimited.
The listing of any non-Federal product in this CD is not an endorsement of the
product itself, but simply an acknowledgement of the source.
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300 |
Operational Medicine
Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
January 1, 2001 |
United States Special Operations
Command
7701 Tampa Point Blvd.
MacDill AFB, Florida
33621-5323 |
*This web version is provided by
The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division. It contains
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Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. The presence of any
advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or
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Brookside Associates is a private organization, not affiliated with the United
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Operational Medicine 2001
Contents
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