Thyroid Palpation
Thyroid Palpation - Related Videos
05:18
Palpation
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2023
Source: Jaideep S. Talwalkar, MD, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT The physical examination requires the use of all of the provider's senses to gain information about the patient. The sense of touch is utilized to obtain diagnostic information through palpation. The specific parts of the examiner's hand used for palpation differ based on the body part being examined. Because of their dense sensory innervation, the finger pads are useful for fine...
08:25
Abdominal Exam III: Palpation
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2023
Source: Alexander Goldfarb, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, MA Abdominal palpation, if performed correctly, allows for examination of the large and relatively superficial organs; for a skilled examiner, it allows for assessment of the smaller and deeper structures as well. The amount of information that can be obtained by palpation of the abdominal area also depends on the anatomical characteristics of the patient. For example, obesity might make...
03:02
Orthotopic Inoculation of Thyroid Cancer Cells into Murine Thyroid: A Procedure to Establish Orthotopic Thyroid Cancer Mouse Model
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2023
This video describes the procedure for orthotopic inoculation of thyroid cancer cells into the thyroid gland of mouse models, which may then serve as a valuable platform to assess carcinogenesis and discover potential treatment strategies.
09:59
Respiratory Exam I: Inspection and Palpation
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2023
Source: Suneel Dhand, MD, Attending Physician, Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Disorders of the respiratory system with a chief complaint of shortness of breath are among the most common reasons for both outpatient and inpatient evaluation. The most obvious visible clue to a respiratory problem will be whether the patient is displaying any signs of respiratory distress, such as fast respiratory rate and/or cyanosis. In a clinical situation, this will always require...
07:39
Cardiac Exam I: Inspection and Palpation
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2023
Source: Suneel Dhand, MD, Attending Physician, Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center The cardiac assessment is one of the core examinations performed by almost every physician whenever encountering a patient. Disorders of the cardiac system are among the most common reasons for hospital admission, with conditions ranging from myocardial infarction to congestive heart failure. Learning a complete and thorough cardiac examination is therefore crucial for any practicing physician.
FAQs
As the patient swallows, movement of the thyroid relative to surrounding tissues helps the clinician identify its boundaries and determine whether an apparent prominence belongs to the gland. Observing this motion while palpating supports assessment of enlargement, asymmetry, or a discrete nodule. The maneuver links a dynamic patient action with more precise localization of palpable findings.
Consistency and tenderness provide additional characteristics beyond gland size or shape. A clinician can note whether the tissue feels altered and whether palpation causes pain, then consider these findings when evaluating possible thyroid inflammation or other abnormalities. These observations remain clinical clues rather than standalone diagnoses and should be interpreted alongside the patient’s history and other assessments.
Comparing both lobes helps reveal asymmetry that might be missed when each side is assessed in isolation. A systematic examination also encourages consistent attention to size, shape, position, consistency, and tenderness across the gland. This organized comparison improves the reliability of clinical findings and provides a clearer basis for deciding whether further evaluation is appropriate.
The examination should use appropriate patient positioning, a systematic sequence, and palpation while the patient swallows. The clinician evaluates the gland consistently from one side to the other, compares both lobes, and records relevant features such as enlargement, asymmetry, nodules, consistency, and tenderness. A structured approach reduces omissions and makes the findings easier to interpret.
Palpation provides an initial clinical assessment, but palpable findings generally require correlation with medical history, thyroid function tests, and imaging. This broader evaluation helps place an observed enlargement, asymmetry, nodule, or painful area in context. Combining examination findings with these sources supports more informed assessment than relying on touch alone.
Thyroid palpation supports the initial evaluation of suspected goiter, thyroid inflammation, and other thyroid disorders. It can identify physical features that warrant closer assessment, including enlargement, asymmetry, nodules, or tenderness. Because the technique does not independently establish the cause of a finding, clinicians use it as part of a broader clinical evaluation rather than as a definitive test.