Examination of THROAT - Professor Pal - King Edward

Examination of the throat
This includes a thorough examination of the oral cavity.

History
General history, plus ask the patient about tobacco or alcohol use and dental history.

Inspection
Ask the patient to remove dentures, and examine their mouth systemically (use a bright torch): tongue, hard and soft palate, tonsillar fossa, gingivolabial/gingivobuccal sulci, floor of mouth/undersurface of tongue as follows:

Examine the mouth and note the condition of the tongue.
Examine back of tongue and tonsils (press down on the tongue with a tongue depressor).
Palpate the base of the tongue (look for tumours that may not be easily visible).
Inspect the uvula and soft palate.
Inspect the hard palate (ask the patient to tip their head backwards, until the whole hard palate is visible).
Examine the buccal area and the gingivolabial (gingivobuccal) sulcus (the space between cheek and gums).
Examine the floor of the mouth, check for submandibular duct stones or masses (ask the patient to stick their tongue out).
Examine the nasopharynx and larynx with a mirror or flexible fibreoptic nasendoscope.