Head, face, neck, lymph Flashcards
Skull
- protects brain and sensory organs
- cranial and facial bones
- supported by cervical vertebrae
Neck
Conduit for vessels, muscles, nerves, lymph vessels, respiratory, endocrine and digestive systems
Lymph system
- separate vessel system from CV system
- immune function: get rid of dead WBCs after they fight infection
- detect and eliminate foreign substances from the body
Lymph nodes
- small, oval clusters of lymph tissue located along the lymph vessels
- filter lymph preventing harmful substances from entering the circulation
- accessible to examination in 4 areas: head and neck, arms, axillae and inguinal region
- when nodes are enlarged, check the area they drain for the sources of the problem
- check area upstream/proximal to the location of the enlarged node
Headache- symptoms analysis
- onset
- location
- duration
- severity
- quality
- timing
- associated symptoms/signs
- aggravating/alleviating factors
- personal perception
Inspect skull- expected findings
Normocephalic- normal size skull
Inspect skull- unexpected findings
- microcephaly
- macrocephaly
- hydrocephaly: accumulation of CSF causing enlargement
Palpate skull- expected findings
- non tender
- protrusions at mastoid process, occipital bone, forehead, lateral edge of parietal bone
Palpate skull- unexpected findings
- lumps
- depressions: signs of dehydration in infants
- abnormal protrusions: accumulation of CSF that with time can lead to hydrocephaly
Temporal artery assessment: palpate- expected findings
smooth, elastic pulsation
Temporal artery assessment: palpate- unexpected findings
tortuous/distended, hard, tender
Inspect/palpate TMJ: expected findings
- non tender
- no ROM limitations
Inspect/palpate: Facial expression- expected findings
consistent with behavior and mood
Inspect/palpate: Facial expression- unexpected findings
tight, rigid muscles- anxiety, pain
Inspect/palpate: Face symmetry- expected findings
eyebrows, palpebral fissures, nasolabial folds, sides of mouth
Inspect/palpate: Face symmetry- unexpected findings
asymmetry- CVA/stroke, peripheral damage to CNVII (Bell’s palsy)- drooping from temporary facial weakness
Inspect/palpate: Facial structure and movement-expected findings
even skin, no swelling or involuntary movements
Inspect/palpate: Facial structure and movement-unexpected findings
periorbital edema, excessive blinking, TMJ grinding, tics
Inspect/palpate neck: symmetry- expected findings
head midline, accessory neck muscles symmetrical, head held erect and still
Inspect/palpate neck: symmetry- unexpected findings
head tilt (muscle spasm), rigid (arthritis), swellling (parotid swelling or thyroid enlargement)