Assessing the Head & Neck Flashcards
what are the palpebral fissures
the opening between the eyelids
what are the nasolabial folds
creases from the nose to the corner of the mouth
what is an ecchymotic area also known as?
a bruise
What indicates trauma to the head?
lumps, protrusions, or sunken areas in the skull. Ecchymotic areas indicate recent trauma.
What do areas of patchy hair loss indicate on the head?
The presence of an autoimmune inflammatory disorder
What can edema around the eyes, cheeks, and overall facial features indicate
trauma, infection, and heart problems
what can the presence of coarse facial hair on a female indicate?
The presence of a hormonal or endocrine disorder
what is Pediculus hamanus capitis
Small, oval, white particles attached to the hair strands that indicate the presence of head lice
What are the two neck muscles?
trapezius and sternocleidomastoid
where is the trachea located
positioned midline and above the suprasternal notch
What does the trachea been shifted away from the midline indicate
It is associated with a mass in the neck or chest disorders
what does limited range of motion or pain in neck movement indicate
A systemic infection in the spine or a musculoskeletal disorder 
Tension
Meningitis
What can swelling on the anterior portion of the neck indicate?
A disorder of the thyroid gland
what can visible lymph nodes indicate?
An infection or possibly a malignancy (cancer)
What can difficulty swallowing indicate
Inflammation or central nervous system disorder
How do you check for jugular vein distention
Look above the sternocleidomastoid, and look for a lump
what can jugular vein distention indicate
Heart failure
What are the medical guidelines in terms medication administration for someone who cannot swallow
nothing by mouth
What are the major veins/arteries in the head/neck?
internal jugular veins and carotid arteries
What is the largest endocrine gland?
The thyroid gland
What does the thyroid gland consist of?
to lateral lobes next to esophagus and trachea, covered by sternomastoid muscles
What is the thyroid test?
have patient swallow, and there should not be any lumps or feel “bubbly”
what part of the stethoscope do you use to listen to the thyroid
the bell
how do you palpate the lymph nodes? 
Move the skin in little round circles
what does a deviated trachea indicate?
There could be a problem with the lungs or heart
what is the lymph node called at the top of the ear
Preauricular lymph node
What is a lymph node called directly behind the ear?
posterior auricular/postauricular lymph node
what is a lymph node called at the base of the ear?
Tonsillar lymph node
what is the lymph node called underneath the jaw?
Submandibular lymph node
what is a lymph node called underneath the chin
sub mental
What is the lymph node called at the base of the back of the head?
occipital lymph node
what is the lymph node called higher up on the sternomastoid muscle?
Superficial cervical lymph node
what is the lymph node called lower on the sternomastoid muscle
Deep, cervical chain, lymph node
What are the bottom to lymph nodes called?
Posterior cervical and supraclavicular lymph nodes
what structure connects the two thyroid lobes
The thyroid isthmus
what does normocephalic mean
The head is the normal size
what should you do if you find a bump on the patient’s head but they didn’t fall?
Use COLDSPA to find out more info
What are some side effects of hypothyroidism?
Weight gain, tired, everything slows down, sunken-in eyes
what are some side effects of hyperthyroidism?
Weight loss, fidgety, everything speeds up, buldging of the eyes
What is a sinus headache?
A headache that may occur in one area of the face or long eye – brow ridge and below the cheekbone
What is a cluster headache?
A headache localized in the eye and orbit, and radiating to the facial and temporal regions
When do cluster headaches usually occur?
Typically in the late evening or night
what is a tension headache
a headache usually located in the frontal, temporal, or occipital region
How long can a tension headache last?
Days, months or years
What is a migraine headache?
A headache located around eyes, temples, cheeks or forehead, and may affect only one side of the face 
how long can a migraine headache last?
After three days
when do tumor-related headaches usually occur?
In the morning, and usually lasts for several hours
how many bones does the cranium made of?
Eight
what are the cranium bones
frontal, parietal (2), temporal (2), occipital , ethmoid and sphenoid
How many face bones are there?
14
what are the face bones?
Maxilla, zygomatic, inferior conchae, nasal, lacrimal, palatine, vomer, mandible
What is the trachea made out of?
cricoid cartilage and thyroid cartilage
what do the trapezius muscles do?
Extend the head and move the shoulders
What is Cushing syndrome?
Fatty deposits around the head and neck, usually due to steroid drugs, or overproduction of cortisol overtime
what is meningitis
inflammation of the brain or spinal cord
what can symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, spinning, and blurred sensation indicate
Possible stroke
what is the Headache Impact Test for?
 Determines how the headache impacts daily life activities of the patient
What should be the first questions when collecting subjective data about the head and neck?
Pain and difficulty breathing
What bone can you see with the naked eye that is part of the cervical vertebrae?
The vertebral prominence of C7
what is the first vertebrae called?
Atlas (C1)
what is the second vertebrae called?
Axis (C2)
what two strands does the sternocleidomastoid consist of?
Sternal head and clavicular head
what is the hyoid bone and what does it do?
It is the bone underneath the chin and is responsible for movement of the tongue in ability to speak
What are the main vertebrae that hold up ahead?
C1 and C2
How do you test for enlarged thyroid cartilage?
Have the patient swallow
