Orofacial Examination

Question 1

What is the purpose of the oroperipheral exam?

Answer 1

Helps differentiate between a functional or organic speech problem.

Question 2

What is a functional cause?

Answer 2

Functional/idiopathic- we don’t know the underlying cause of the artic/phono disorder

Question 3

What is an organic cause?

Answer 3

Physical/anatomical/neurological cause at the root of the disorder.

Question 4

What basic supplies are needed for this exam?

Answer 4

Penlight, gloves, stopwatch, tongue depressors

Question 5

What 7 things do you evaulate in an orofacial exam?

Answer 5

Structure and function of the:

1. face
2. jaw and teeth
3. lips
4. tongue
5. pharynx
6. hard palate
7. soft palate.

Question 6

Face

Answer 6

Symmetry
Normal movement
Breathing

Question 7

Jaw and Teeth

Answer 7

Jaw range of motion, movement, symmetry and sound

Teeth arrangement, absence, occlusion and hygiene

Question 8

Lips

Answer 8

Pucker- range of motion, symmetry, strength
Smile- range of motion, symmetry, strength
Puff cheeks & hold air- strength, nasal emission

Question 9

Tongue

Answer 9

Evaluate color, movements, size, frenum length

• Protrude tongue: excurion, range/speed of motion, strength
• Retract tongue: excursion, range/speed of motion
• Tip to the right: excursion, range of motion, strength
• Tip to the left: excursion, range of motion, strength
• Tip up: movement, range of motion
• Tip down: movement, range of motion
• Side-to-side: rate, range of motion

Question 10

Pharynx

Answer 10

Color, appearance of tonsils

Question 11

Hard and Soft Palate

Answer 11

Color
Rugae
Arch height/width
Growths
Fistula
Clefting
Symmetry
Gag reflex
Posterior/lateral movement
Uvula appearance
Nasality