Nose, Mouth, and Throat Flashcards
Location of olfactory receptors
Roof of the nasal cavity and upper third of the septum
CN I
olfactory nerve- transmits to the temporal lobe of the brain
Two pairs of sinuses that can be examined
frontal, maxillary
Frenulum
midline fold of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth
Functions of the tongue
mastication, swallowing, teeth cleansing, speech formation, taste
number of teeth
32
each tooth composed of
crown, neck, root
What separates the oropharynx from the mouth?
the anterior tonsillar pillar
Age at which all temporary teeth are developed
2.5 years
Changes in mouth during pregnancy
Gums hyperemic and softened; may bleed with toothbrushing
Changes in nose in pregnancy
nasal stuffiness and epistaxis as a result of increased vascularity
Changes in nose in the aging adult
Nasal hair grow stiffer and coarser, may not filter air as well. Decrease in the number of olfactory nerve fibers causes a decreased sense of smell.
Changes in the oral cavity in the aging adult
- Soft tissues atrophy, epithelium in the cheeks and tongue thins.
- A Loss of taste buds causes an 80% reduction in taste functioning.
- Decrease in salivary secretions.
- Tissue ulcers easily, increasing the risk for infections and neoplasms.
Dental changes in the aging adult
tooth loss, receding gums, difficulty in mastication, pain, stress on the TMJ
Subjective Data for Nose
Discharge, frequent colds, sinus pain, trauma, epistaxis, allergies, altered smell
Subjective Data for Mouth and Throat
sores/lesions, sore throat, toothaches, bleeding gums, hoarseness, dysphagia, altered taste, smoking, alcohol use, patient-centered care
NMT Subjective data for Aging Adult
mouth dryness, tooth loss, foods the pt can no longer eat, denture care, change in taste or smell
Objective Data for Nose
Note ability to sniff, any discharge, deviated septum, nasal mucosa status, turbinates. Palpate sinuses.
Objective data for mouth
- Note lips and inner surfaces
- Teeth- absent, diseased, loose, abnormally positioned
- Enlarged or small tongue
- Induration under the tongue
- Palate
- CN Test
- Inspect throat/tonsils
- Gag reflex
Enlarged tongue indicates
Mental retardation, hypothyroidism, acromegaly
Small tongue indicates
Malnutrition
Induration under tongue
May be a mass or lymphadenopathy and must be investigated
CN X test (vagus nerve)
Ask pt to say “ahhhh” and observe soft palate and uvula rising in the middle.
CN XII test (hypoglossal)
Have pt stick out the tongue, which should protrude in the midline.
Candida
usually rubs off buccal mucosa, leaving clear or raw denuded surface
Gag reflex
tests CN IX (glossopharyngeal) and CN X (vagus). Touch posterior wall with tongue blade.
What causes yellow in aging adult’s teeth?
Dentin visible through worn enamel.
Incisors in the aging adult
have vertical cracks from lifetime of exposure to extreme temperatures.
What causes teeth to be loose in aging adult
Bone resorption
Sinusitis
Most often viral, not bacterial. Major signs include mucopurulent drainage, nasal obstruction, facial pain/pressure, and loss of smell.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis S&S
Turbinates usually pail, surface looks smooth and glistening. Rhinorrhea, itching of nose and eyes, lacrimation, nasal congestion, sneezing.
Acute rhinitis
Clear, watery discharge which later become purulent. Sneezing, itching, cough reflex. Turbinates dark red and swollen.
Furuncle
small boil in the skin or mucous membrane of the nose. Swollen, red, and painful. Avoid manipulation or trauma that may spread infection.
Nasal polyps
Smooth, pale gray nodules formed by overgrowths of mucosa. Mobile and nontender. May obstruct airways. Absence of smell, feeling of a valve that moves with breathing. Often caused by chronic allergic rhinitis.
Angular cheilitis (stomatitis, perleche)
Erythema, scaling, and shallow/painful fissures at the corners of the mouth due to excess salivation and candida infection. Common with edentulous persons or those with poorly fitting dentures.
Retention cyst (mucocele)
round, well-defined, translucent nodule up to 1-2 cm. Pocket of mucus that forms with the duct of a minor salivary gland ruptures.
