Extremities Examination
Extremities Examination - Related Videos
07:44
Ophthalmoscopic Examination
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2023
Source: Richard Glickman-Simon, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, MA The simplest ophthalmoscopes consist of an aperture to look through, a diopter indicator, and a disc for selecting lenses. The ophthalmoscope is primarily used to examine the fundus, or the inner wall of the posterior eye, which consists of the choroid, retina, fovea, macula, optic disc, and retinal vessels (Figure 1). The spherical eyeball...
01:22
Absolute and Local Extreme Values
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2026
The highest and lowest values of a function, relative to a reference axis, are known as extreme values. These include absolute maximum and absolute minimum values, which represent the highest and lowest points the function reaches across its entire domain. Within a restricted portion of the function, the highest and lowest values are referred to as local maximum and local minimum values, respectively.Periodic functions, such as sine and cosine, show extreme values at infinitely many points due...
35:03
Mental Status Examination
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2023
Source: Carmen Black, Matthew Goldenberg, and Jaideep Talwalkar; Yale School of Medicine The mental status exam is a clinical evaluation of emotional, perceptual, and cognitive functioning that spans both the fields of psychiatry and neurology. Developing skill in the psychiatric portions of the examination are important to describe salient aspects of the patient's mental state that may be observed during routine history and/or physical exam. Proficiency in the cognitive portions of this...
20:06
The Comprehensive Infant Examination
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2023
Source: Heather Collette and Jaideep Talwalkar; Yale School of Medicine The newborn exam is important in establishing a baby's baseline health status as they enter the world. Newborn providers have the unique opportunity to evaluate a patient for the very first time. They are also tasked with identifying congenital anomalies that require early intervention to promote a long and healthy life for the child. Many newborn anomalies, such as heart defects, are noted on prenatal ultrasound. However,...
07:44
Resonance Raman Spectroscopy of Extreme Nanowires and Other 1D Systems
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Cited by 1 •
2016
The paper describes a method for producing extreme nanowires by melt infiltration into carbon nanotubes and how 1D systems may be characterized and investigated using Resonance Raman Spectroscopy to determine vibrational and optical excitation energies.
FAQs
Comparing one limb with the other helps clinicians recognize asymmetry that may otherwise be difficult to interpret. Differences in contour, alignment, skin appearance, swelling, movement, strength, sensation, or circulation can point toward an abnormal process. This comparison provides a practical reference for judging whether a finding is localized rather than a normal feature shared by both sides.
The examination separates findings among bones, joints, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels by combining different assessment methods. Palpation and movement may highlight musculoskeletal involvement, strength and sensation can indicate neurologic changes, and pulse or capillary-refill findings address circulation. Considering these results together narrows the likely anatomic system involved instead of relying on one isolated sign.
Changes involving pulses, capillary refill, sensation, or muscle strength may signal neurovascular compromise and require careful attention. These findings connect blood flow and nerve function with the condition of the limb, while inspection and palpation add information about visible or palpable abnormalities. Recognizing this pattern helps clinicians identify potentially urgent problems rather than treating the issue as only musculoskeletal.
A structured sequence begins with bilateral inspection for asymmetry, deformity, skin changes, or swelling. The clinician then palpates the limbs, evaluates range of motion, tests muscle strength, assesses sensation, and checks pulses and capillary refill. Using the same sequence across both sides supports consistent documentation and makes changes easier to identify during later examinations.
Different components of the assessment emphasize different anatomic systems. Inspection and palpation can reveal abnormalities affecting form or tissues, range-of-motion testing examines movement, and strength testing contributes information about muscles and motor function. Sensory assessment addresses nerve-related changes, whereas pulses and capillary refill provide evidence about vascular status. The combined pattern supports more precise localization.
Serial examinations provide an objective way to track whether abnormalities are progressing, improving, or remaining unchanged. Repeating the same observations and tests allows clinicians to compare findings over time, evaluate response to treatment, and document recovery. This approach is useful across clinical settings because it turns changes in appearance, function, sensation, strength, and circulation into comparable follow-up information.