Assessing the Neck

Examination includes the muscles, lymph nodes,

trachea, thyroid gland, carotid arteries and jugular
veins
 Anatomy of the Neck
• Anterior Triangle
– Medial Border of
Sternocleidomast
oid Muscle and
Mastoid
• Posterior
Triangle
– Formed by
Trapezius and
Sternocleidomast
oid (SCM)
Muscles and
 Anatomy of the Neck
Includes:
• Trachea
•Thyroid glands
Anatomy of the Neck
• Lymph Nodes
• Occipital
• Post auricular
• Preauricular
• Submandibular
• Submental
• Tonsillar
• Posterior
cervical
• Deep cervical
• Supraclavicular
 Assessing the Neck
• Inquire if the client has any history of
the following:
• Problems with neck lumps
• Neck pain or stiffness
• When and how any lumps occur
• Previous diagnosis of thyroid problems
• Other treatment provided
 Neck Muscles
• Inspect the neck muscles for abnormal
swellings or masses
• Observe the head movement
• Move the chin to the chest
• Move the head back so that the chin points
upward
• Move the head so that the ear is moved
toward the shoulder on each side
• Turn the head to the right and to the left
Assess the muscle strength.
 Lymph Nodes
Palpate the
entire neck for 1) Preauricular
enlarged lymph
nodes
• Face the client,
bend the head
slightly forward,
toward the side
2) Postauricular
being examined
• Palpate the
nodes using the
pads of the
fingers in a
Lymph Nodes
3) Submental
4) Submandibular
5) Tonsillar

6) Anterior
Cervical
7) Posterior
Cervical
8) Supraclavicular
 Trachea
• Palpate the trachea for lateral
deviation
• Place fingertip or thumb on the trachea
in the suprasternal notch
• Move finger laterally to the left and the
right in spaces bordered by the clavicle,
the anterior aspect of the
sternocleidomastoid muscle, and the
trachea
 Thyroid Gland
• Inspect the thyroid gland:

Posterior Approach Anterior Approach

 Thyroid Gland
• Palpation of Thyroid
– Size — R>L. Normally does not
Extend above Thyroid Cartilage
– Shape — Butterfly
– Consistency — Firm but not
Hard
– Sensation — Non-Tender
– Surface — Normally Smooth.
Nodules may Occur with Age or
Cancer of Thyroid.
– Movement — Rises with
Swallowing
 Thyroid Gland
• If enlargement of the gland is
suspected:
• Auscultate over the thyroid area for
bruit ( a soft rushing sound created by
turbulent blood flow)
• Use the bell of the stethoscope
 Lifespan Considerations
• Examine the neck while the infant or
child is lying supine
• An infant’s neck is normally short,
lengthening by about age 3 years.
This makes the palpation of the
trachea difficult