Anatomy Quiz: Thyroid and Neck Structures

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Questions and Answers

What action should be taken to assess the movement of the thyroid gland during swallowing?

Instruct the client to take a sip of water while palpating the thyroid. (correct)

Push the trachea slightly to the left side.

Auscultate the thyroid gland with the diaphragm of the stethoscope.

Ask the client to hold their breath while palpating the thyroid.

What sounds indicate a potential issue when auscultating the thyroid gland?

A soft, blowing sound suggests hyperthyroidism. (correct)

Silence indicates no issues.

Bruits indicate normal thyroid function.

High-pitched sounds indicate a goiter.

Which condition is characterized by a hematoma in one sternomastoid muscle?

Congenital Torticollis (correct)

Lymphadenopathy

Goiter

Atelectasis

What would indicate that the trachea is pushed to the unaffected side?

A tumor on the affected side. Signup and view all the answers

What finding would NOT be expected during a normal neck examination?

Enlargement of lymph nodes greater than 1 cm. Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is not part of the cranium?

Zygomatic bone Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of lymph nodes?

Engulf pathogens Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the face is false?

Facial bones are all movable. Signup and view all the answers

Which vertebra is referred to as the 'axis'?

C2 Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is considered a major artery located in the facial region?

Temporal artery Signup and view all the answers

What hormone is secreted by the thyroid gland?

Thyroxine Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is not located in the neck?

Mandible Signup and view all the answers

What divides each side of the neck into anterior and posterior triangles?

Sternomastoid muscle Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a migraine headache?

Throbbing, pounding, or shooting pain Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is commonly associated with tension headaches?

Anxiety and stress Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic symptom of vertigo?

True rotational spinning sensation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is most likely associated with migraines?

Visual disturbances Signup and view all the answers

What defines presyncope?

A light-headed feeling caused by decreased blood flow Signup and view all the answers

Which type of headache is typically characterized by dull, aching pain?

Tension headaches Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible associated symptom of meningitis?

Nuchal rigidity and fever Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom would indicate a potential head injury complication?

Immediate severe headache and blurred vision Signup and view all the answers

What prompts a further investigation of neck pain?

Numbness or tingling in the hands Signup and view all the answers

What duration of unconsciousness would raise concern during a head trauma assessment?

More than 30 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal appearance of the head when assessed for size and shape?

Normocephalic and symmetric Signup and view all the answers

During palpation, what indicates a normal temporal artery?

Soft and straight Signup and view all the answers

What does crepitation in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) indicate?

Abnormal joint function Signup and view all the answers

What facial characteristic may indicate anxiety or pain?

Tense rigid muscles Signup and view all the answers

What would an abnormal finding during the neck examination indicate?

Extension motion is limited Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential indicator of stroke during a facial inspection?

Asymmetry of facial features Signup and view all the answers

What does the presence of exophthalmos indicate during a facial inspection?

Inflammation or thyroid issues Signup and view all the answers

Which assessment technique is not used when examining the head?

Auscultation Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a person has a flat affect during a facial assessment?

They may be feeling depressed Signup and view all the answers

What abnormal finding can occur with temporal arteritis?

Tenderness and hard band to palpation Signup and view all the answers

What should be observed when the client swallows a sip of water during the examination of the thyroid gland?

The movement of the thyroid cartilage and gland Signup and view all the answers

During the palpation of lymph nodes, what characteristics should they normally exhibit?

Movable, soft, and non-tender Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct method to palpate the trachea?

Slip fingers off the trachea to each side from the sternal notch Signup and view all the answers

When using the anterior approach to assess the thyroid gland, where should the examiner’s thumb be placed?

3 cm below the thyroid cartilage prominence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following steps is part of the posterior approach to palpate the thyroid gland?

Tilt the client's head forward and to the right Signup and view all the answers

What is an indication of a normal trachea during palpation?

Symmetric space on both sides Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct way to palpate lymph nodes?

Use a gentle circular motion of your finger pads Signup and view all the answers

Which action is performed first when examining the thyroid gland?

Ask the client to swallow a sip of water Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the Palpation of normal lymph nodes?

Nodes feel soft and are freely movable Signup and view all the answers

In performing a thyroid examination, what indicates that no lobe enlargement is present?

Thyroid tissue moves up symmetrically Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Objectives

Identify pertinent head, face, and neck history questions
Obtain a specific history for head, face, and neck
Perform a physical assessment of the head, face, and neck
Document findings from the head, face, and neck assessment
Differentiate between normal and abnormal head, face, and neck assessment findings

Introduction

Head and neck assessment focuses on the cranium, face, thyroid gland, and lymph nodes within the head and neck.
The skull (framework of the head) is divided into two sections: cranium and face.

Cranium

The cranium houses and protects the brain.
It is composed of six bones: frontal, parietal (2), temporal (2), occipital, and sphenoid.
Cranial bones are connected by immovable sutures (e.g., sagittal, coronal, and lambdoid).
The cranium is supported by cervical vertebrae (C1 "atlas", C2 "axis", and down to C7).
The C7 vertebra has a palpable spinous process when the head is flexed.

Face

Facial bones give shape to the face.
The face consists of 14 bones: two maxillae, two zygomatics (cheekbones), two inferior conchae, two nasal bones, two lacrimals, two palatines, one vomer, and one mandible (jaw).
All facial bones, except for the mandible, are immovable
The mandible moves (up, down, & sideways) via the temporomandibular joint.
Facial structures include muscles for movement and expressions.
The temporal artery lies above the temporalis muscle and can be palpated in front of the ear.
Important facial structures include the parotid (largest salivary gland), submandibular, and sublingual glands.

The Neck

The neck is composed of blood vessels, muscles, and cervical vertebrae.
Structures within the neck include the hyoid bone, larynx, trachea, and thyroid gland.
Blood vessels of the neck include the internal and external carotid arteries, and internal and external jugular veins.
Major neck muscles include the sternomastoid (dividing the neck into anterior and posterior triangles) and trapezius muscles.

Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is located in the middle of the neck, straddling the trachea.
It produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) hormones.
The thyroid gland has two lobes connected by an isthmus.
The thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple) sits above the cricoid cartilage.

Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes are small, oval clusters of lymphatic tissue along lymph vessels.
They filter lymph and engulf pathogens, preventing harmful substances from entering circulation.
Lymph nodes vary in size and shape, but most are less than 1 cm.
Specific groupings in the head and neck include: preauricular, posterior auricular, occipital, submental, submandibular, jugulodigastric, superficial cervical, deep cervical, posterior cervical, and supraclavicular.

Subjective Data

Headache: Ask about frequency, severity, onset/duration, location, character (throbbing, aching), intensity, associated factors (nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, anxiety/stress, nuchal rigidity, fever).
Head injury: Ask about history, onset, loss of consciousness (duration), location, any symptoms afterward (headache, vomiting), associated symptoms (pain in head/neck, vision changes, discharge), and pattern/changes since injury, and medications.
Dizziness: Ask about onset (abrupt or gradual), associated factors (nausea, vomiting, pallor, decreased hearing acuity, tinnitus), and circumstances (standing). Dizziness can be classified into presyncope, vertigo (subjective or objective), or disequilibrium.
Neck pain: Ask about onset, location, associated symptoms (limitations in range of motion, numbness/tingling in arms/shoulders/hands), and any precipitating factors (which movements cause the pain).
Lumps/swellings: Ask about recent infection, tenderness, prior irradiation of head/neck/upper chest, difficulty swallowing, smoking history, thyroid problems (over/under-functioning), history of thyroid treatment (surgery, irradiation, medications) and history of head or neck surgery.

Objective Data: Head

Inspection: Assess head size and shape (normocephalic), presence of lesions. Palpate the scalp and cranial bones for tenderness. Palpate temporal arteries for tenderness and firmness. Palpate the temporomandibular joint for smooth movement without limitation/tenderness.
Abnormal findings: microcephaly (small head size), macrocephaly (large head size), temporal arteritis (tenderness and a hard band to palpation), TMJ crepitation, limited range of motion, tenderness. Identify types of headache (tension, migraine, cluster).

Objective Data: Face

Inspection: Observe facial expression for symmetry and appropriateness to behavior/mood. Note symmetry of eyebrows and mouth. Examine for abnormal swelling, exophthalmos (bulging eyes), or involuntary movements.
Abnormal findings: Tense rigid muscles (anxiety/pain), flat affect (depression), asymmetry (stroke, Bell's palsy)

Objective Data: Neck

Inspection: Assess for symmetry, lumps/masses. Assess range of motion (chin-to-chest, turning head, ear-to-shoulder, extending backward). Note any enlargement of salivary glands, lymph nodes, or thyroid gland.
Palpation: Palpate lymph nodes for location, size, shape, mobility, and tenderness. Palpate the trachea for midline position and symmetry. Use anterior and posterior approaches to palpate the thyroid gland (while listening for bruits) and note movement during swallowing.
Abnormal findings: Congenital torticollis, arthritic neck, goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes), trachea deviation (tumor/infection), bruits.

Sample Charting (Example) (Subjective/Objective Data)

Subjective: Patient complains of dizziness, feeling of light-headedness, and fear of falling, no history of previous dizziness, no neck pain, lumps, or swelling.
Objective: Head is normocephalic, no lumps, lesions, or tenderness. Face is symmetric. Neck is supple with full range of motion and no pain. Trachea is midline, thyroid is not palpable. No bruits heard, no lymphadenopathy.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the thyroid gland and surrounding neck structures. This quiz covers various conditions, functions, and anatomical features relevant to the neck. Perfect for students in anatomy or medical courses.