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Head and Neck Examination
Yasar Kucukardali, MD
Professor
Yeditepe University Medical Faculty
Department of Internal Medicine
INTRODUCTION
• The HEENT, or Head, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat
Exam is usually the initial part of a general
physical exam, after the vital signs.
• it begins with inspection, and then proceeds to
palpation. It requires the use of several special
instruments in order to inspect the eyes and ears,
and special techniques to assess their special
sensory function.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Identify anatomic landmarks of the head,
neck, ear, nose mouth and throat.
• Describe the physical examination
techniques for routine evaluation of the
head, neck, eye, ear, nose and throat.
• Describe normal findings of the head, neck,
ear, nose and throat exam.
ANATOMY OF THE EYE
External eye: Eyelids, lacrimal gland and duct, palpebral fissures, medial and
lateral angles.
Internal eye: Light travels through cornea, anterior chamber, pupil, lens, and
vitreous body on the way to the retina.
Fundus: The posterior structures of the eye include the
retina, retinal arteries and veins, the optic disc and the
macula. These structures are viewed with the
ophthalmoscope.
EXAMINATION of the EYE
Vision testing
• Should be done with any visit involving an eye complaint
• Used to screen children for visual problems
Acuity:
• Far vision - test at 6 m with Snellen chart
• Patient covers one eye, and is instructed to read the smallest line
possible. Patient must correctly read half of symbols on line. Repeat
for other eye.
• Near vision - test at 35cm with pocket chart
• Patient covers one eye, and is instructed to read smallest line
possible. Repeat for other eye.
Visual fields:
• Confrontation test estimates peripheral vision (may be important in
glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or pituitary or other CNS tumor)
• Use your own visual fields as a reference
Technique - face patient at eye level. Ask patient to cover one eye.
Slowly move your fingers from outside the patient's peripheral visual
field towards the center of the patient's vision. Ask the patient to tell
you when he sees your fingers.
EXAMINATION of the EYE
Be systematic - inspect eyebrows, lids, and globe including
conjunctivae
Findings
Eyebrows : Loss of lateral growth may suggest
hypothyroidism
Xanthelasma -irregular, slightly raised yellow periorbital
lesions may suggest lipid disorder
Eyelids : Ptosis (TOH-sis)- if upper lid covers part of pupil
(muscle weakness or neurologic lesion)
Ectropion (lid turned out)
Entropion (lid turned in)
Hordeolum (stye)-inflammation of sebaceous gland
Foreign body - may need to evert lid for full inspection
• Conjunctiva: Hemorrhage- from trauma
EXAMINATION of the EYE
Conjunctivitis- inflammation from infection, allergy...
Pterygium - growth of conjunctiva over cornea
Cornea: Sensation tests cranial nerve V (CN V)
Arcus senilis - lipid deposits, seen in many elderly
Pupils
Check direct and consensual response to light
Shine light source briefly into pupil, observing for constriction. Shine again
into pupil, and observe for constriction of contralateral eye.
Check accommodation (papillary constriction with near focus)
Ask patient to look at finger held several feet from face, then to look at
finger brought just beyond the end of the patient's nose.
Findings:
• Miosis if <2mm (narcotic use, elderly)
• Mydriasis if >6mm (head injury, drugs)
• Anisocoria - unequal pupil size, may be normal variation
Extraocular eye movements
Test CN III, IV, VI and 6 extraocular muscles (EOM).
Technique
Patient watches your finger move through 6 "cardinal positions"
Observe for coordinated movement, nystagmus (or "jerkiness" of motion.
Findings
Lack of coordinated movement denotes problem with cranial nerves or
muscle strength/alignment.
Nystagmus- involuntary rhythmic eye movements
A few beats of horizontal nystagmus at extreme lateral gaze is normal
Lid lag- exposure of sclera over iris as patient moves eyes inferiorly (found
in hyperthyroidism)
Oculary movements / Extraoculary muscles / nerves
EXAMINATION of the SINUSES
Frontal and maxillary sinuses are the most accessible to examination
Palpation and percussion may or may not be helpful
Transillumination of maxillary sinuses: Darken room completely
Look for light transmitted through sinuses to hard palate
Lack of transillumination suggests that sinus is filled with secretions
The following increase the likelihood that your patient has sinusitis:
History of colored nasal discharge
Poor response to decongestants
Maxillary tooth pain
Physical exam showing purulent nasal discharge and abnormal maxillary
sinus transillumination
EXAMINATION of the Thyroid
•Inspection
• Inspect the thyroid with the neck slightly extended, using
tangential lighting. Goiter is essentially ruled out if thyroid gland
is not visible with neck extension. Mood? Hair loss? Dry skin?
Periorbital oedema
•Palpation:
• palpate for size, nodules, and tenderness
• Anterior or posterior approach –
we prefer you learn the posterior approach.
• Relax neck by using neutral position, also may further relax
muscles on one side by tilting toward that side
• Identify the appropriate level of the thyroid isthmus (below the
cricoid cartilage).
• Gently retract the trachea to the opposite side of the lobe you
are palpating.
• Have the patient swallow a sip of water while you palpate
THYROID
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Important symptoms
Duration of symptoms
Signs/symptoms of under/over activity
Any pain?
Any problems with breathing?
Any problems swallowing?
Any changes in their voice?
Family history?
Previous radiotherapy?/ irradiation?
Are they on any current medications?
Findings:
•Size: < 1 cm normal.
•Consistency: hard or rubbery
•Mobility: mobile or fixed
•Tenderness: suggests inflammation
•Warmth: suggests inflammation
•If you find enlarged nodes, check drainage areas for infection,
inflammation, or cancer
•Important example: "Virchow's node"- left supraclavicular
often a clue to abdominal or thoracic malignancy
•Common example: Tonsillar or retropharyngeal nodes often
enlarged in strep throat.