Thyroid Examination

Items
1- Explain the procedure to the patient
2- Examine the patient in a good light & warm surrounding
A- Inspection:
1- Ask the patient to sit upright
2- Inspect the neck from the front
3- Look for a thyroid swelling (usually in the lower part of the neck), while asking the
patient to swallow
4- Inspect the neck while protruding the tongue
B- Palpation:
1. Stand behind the patient
2. Confirm by asking the patient to swallow
3. Comment on the following:
* Shape
* Size
* Consistency
* Surface for localized swelling (nodules)
* Tenderness
* Mobility of the gland (is it fixed or mobile)
4- Palpate for cervical lymphadenopathy
5- Palpate for the tracheal position
6- Palpate for any pulsations
C- Percussion
- Percuss the manubrium for retrosternal extension
D- Auscultation
- Auscultate for thyroid bruits