Assessing the nose, mouth, neck

• Nasal Speculum


  An instrument that helps to expand the opening of the nostrils to provide a better view of the anterior nasal passageway
• Inspection and palpation


  • How to assess the nose
• Epistaxis


  Bleeding of one of both nostrils
• Kiesselbach plexus


  Common site for bleeding in the nose
• Rhinorrhea


  Runny nose
• Anosmia


  Loss of the ability to smell
• Hyposmia


  Decreased sense of smell
• Parosmia


  Distorted sense of smell
• Polyps


  Lesions in the nose
• Pink is the normal color of the mucosa
• Pus or mucous


  Discharge from nares
• Leukoplakia


  White patches
• Stomatitis


  Inflammation of the oral mucosa
• Xerostomia


  Dry mouth, common among older adults
• Sordes


  Accumulation of foul matter on the teeth and gums
• Plaque


  Invisible soft film that adheres to the surface of the enamel
• Tartar


  Visible, hard deposits of plaque and dead bacteria that forms around the gum lines
• Glossitis


  Inflammation of the tongue
• Caviar spots


  Tiny purple or bluish black swollen areas under the tongue
• Pyorrhea


  Swelling gums
• Dysphagia


  Difficulty of swallowing
• Throat pain


  Discomfort in any part of the pharynx
• Palpable


  Lymph nodes are palpable or not
• Not Visible


  Thyroid gland is visible or not in inspection