H E A L T H A S S E S S M E N T

Head, Neck and

Regional
Lymphatics

Prepared by:
Aiza Lyra M. Tan, RN, MAN
Presentation Outline Structure and Function

Today's Topics Collecting Data

Assessment Techniques

Abnormalities

Health Teachings

Activities

0202 - NATMLA
 STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
01
THE HEAD
a. CRANIUM - houses and
protects the brain and major
sensory organs. It consists of
8 bones.
b. FACE - Facial bones give
shape to the face. It consists
of 14 bones.
02 03
LYMPH NODES OF
NECK
HEAD & NECK
Composed of muscles, normally palpable or may feel
ligaments and the cervical like very small beads. They
vertebrae. Contained within swell if with infection and
the neck are the hyoid bone, become painful.
major blood vessels, larynx,
trachea and thyroid gland
which is the anterior triangle
0202 - NATMLA
of the neck.
CRANIUM
Frontal (1)
Parietal (2)
Temporal (2)
Occipital (1)
Ethmoid (1)
Sphenoid (1)

*for adults, cranial bones are joined

together by immovable sutures:
sagittal, coronal, squamosal, and
lamboid sutures.

0202 - NATMLA
FACIAL BONES
Maxilla (2)
Zygomatic (2)
Inferior conchae (2)
Nasal (2)
Lacrimal (2)
Palatine (2)
Vomer (1)
Mandible (1)
*all immovable except for the mandible.
The face also consists of many muscles
that produce facial movement &
expressions.

0202 - NATMLA
ASSESSMENT OF
THE HEAD
The most superior part of the body

HAIR
-the distribution, texture
and any pattern loss.Observe
for white ovoid granules that
adhere to hairs or any hair
infection.

SCALP
-look for lesions (scaliness,
lumps)
-redness and scaling

0202 NATMLA
SKULL
-size, contour/shape,
deformitie, depressions,
lumps, tenderness and lesions
ASSESSMENT OF
THE HEAD
The most superior part of the body

FACE
-observe for symmetry and
asymmetry (consider gender
and ethnic/racial group)
-palpebral fissure and
nasolabial folds

SKIN
-pigmentation (complexion),
color, lesions and hair
distribution

0202 NATMLA
ASSESSMENT
OF THE NECK
NEURTRAL AND HYPEREXTENDED POSITION
INSPECT & PALPATE
NOTE FOR ANY MASSES, SCARS
LOOK FOR ABNORMALITIES

TRACHEA THYROID GLAND LYMPH NODES

-inspect and palpate -stand in front of the
for deviation by patient to inspect.
placing finger along -ask to extend head and
one side of the swallow.
trachea. (should be -stand at the back to
midline) palpate for smoothness.
-observe lower half of neck
-note for size,
shape,delimitation
mobility,
consistency and
tenderness.
-if with enlarged
nodes, get the

0202 NATMLA
-note the space
bet.trachea and overlying the thyroid gland lengthand x width in
sternocleidomastoid for symmetry & visible cms.
and compare with the masses (lowering chin
other side relaxes the neck muscles,
facilitating palpation)
GREAT VESSELS
OF THE NECK

THE CAROTID ARTERY

JUGULAR VEIN
Internal jugular vein
External jugular vein
1. Preauricular - in front of ear
2. Posterior Auricular - superficial to the PALPATE LYMPH NODES
mastoid process.
3. Occipital - at the base of the skull
posteriorly
4. Tonsillar - at the angle of the mandible
5. Submandibular - midway between the angle
and the tip of the mandible
6. Submental - midline, few cms behind the
tip of the mandible.
7. Superficial Cervical - superficial to the
sternocleidomastoid
8. Posterior Cervical - along the anterior
edge of the trapezius.
9. Deep cervical chain - deep to the
sternocleidomastoid and often accessible
to examination.
10.Supraclavicular - deep in the angle formed
by the clavicle and sternocleidomastoid. ALMTAN 2020
NORMAL FINDINGS

Neck should be erect

Positioned in midline
No lumps
No bulges
No masses
ASSESSMENT OF THE NECK
 NEXT

ABNORMALITIES

A C R O MEGALY C U S H ING H Y P E RTHYROIDIS M S C L E RODERMA

S Y N D ROME

-enlargement of -moon-shaped -exophthalmos is - a tightened-hard

the facial features with reddened seen in face with thinning
(nose, ears) and cheeks and hyperthyroidism facial skin
the hands and feet increased facial
hair.
 NEXT

ABNORMALITIES

H Y P O THYROIDISM / C E R E BROVASCULA R P A R K INSON B E L L PALSY

M Y X E DEMA A C C I DENT D I S E ASE

-dull, puffy face, -results in -has a mask-like -usually begins

edema around the neurologic damage. facial appearance, suddenly and reaches
eyes, and dry, Symptoms depend along with a shuffling a peak within 48
course, and sparse on what part of the gait, rigid muscles, hours. Symptoms may
hair. brain was affected. and diminished include twitching, one
reflexes side facial paralysis.
 TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS OF HEADACHES
A P P L Y
SINUS HEADACHE
C - deep, constant, throbbing pain. with pressure like feeliing
in one specific area of face or head, face tender to touch.
O - occurs with or after a cold or acute sinusitis or febrile
illness with purulent discharge from nose
L - in one are of face or along eyebrow ridge and below the
cheekbone.
D - lasts until associated condition is improved.
S - may be moderately sever or debilitating
P - worsens with sudden movement, in the morning or with
temperature changes.
A - associated with other symptoms of sinusitis.
T H E C O L D S P A !
CLUSTER HEADACHE
C - stabbing pain, may be accompanied by tearing, eyelid
drooping, redenned eye or runny nose
O - sudden onset, precipitated by alcohol
L - localized in the eye and orbit and radiating to the facial and
temporal regions.
D - typically on late evening or night
S - intense!
P - movement or walking back and forth may relieve symptoms
A - occur more in young males
 TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS OF HEADACHES
A P P L Y T H E C O L D S P A !

TENSION HEADACHE MIGRAINE HEADACHE TUMOR RELATED H.

C - dull, tight, diffuse
O - may occur with stress, anxiety or
depression
L - usually in the frontal, temporal or
occipital region
D - lasts days, months, or years
S - aching
P - symptomatic relief by local heat,
massage, analgesics, muscle relaxants.
A - affect women more often
C - accompanied by n&v, sensitivity to
noise and light
O - visual disturbances, vertigo, tinnitus,
numbness, tingling, precipitated by anxiety,
ingestion of alcohol, cheese, chocolate etc.
L - around eyes, cheeks, temples or
forehead, may affect only one side of face.
D - lasts up to 3 days
S - throbbing, severe
P - rest may bring relief
A - occur more often in women
C - aching, steady, neurologic & mental
symptoms, n&v.
O - no prodromal stage, agggravated by
coughing, sneezing, sudden
movements.
L - varies with location of tumor
D - common in the morning and lasts
several hours.
S - variable in intensity.
P - usually subsides later in the day
A - -----
 ASSESSMENT
TECHNIQUES
1 Use COLDSPA

2 Inspection

3 Palpation

4 Document

Don't forget to wash your hands before and after patient contact!
THANK YOU
FOR TODAY!
SOURCES

Weber, J and Kelley, J. (2018). Health

Assessment in Nursing. 6th ed., International
ed.Philadelphia; London : Wolters Kluwer /
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Jarvis, C. (2012). Physical Examination and
Health Assessment. 6th Edition. St. Louis :
Elsevier/Saunder.
Estes, M.E.Z. (2010). Health Assessment and

0202 NATMLA
Physical Examination. International Edition,
4th Edition. Clifton Park, N.Y. : Delmar
Cengage