Examination of the throat <br />This includes a thorough examination of the oral cavity. <br /> <br />History <br />General history, plus ask the patient about tobacco or alcohol use and dental history. <br /> <br />Inspection <br />Ask the patient to remove dentures, and examine their mouth systemically (use a bright torch): tongue, hard and soft palate, tonsillar fossa, gingivolabial/gingivobuccal sulci, floor of mouth/undersurface of tongue as follows: <br /> <br />Examine the mouth and note the condition of the tongue. <br />Examine back of tongue and tonsils (press down on the tongue with a tongue depressor). <br />Palpate the base of the tongue (look for tumours that may not be easily visible). <br />Inspect the uvula and soft palate. <br />Inspect the hard palate (ask the patient to tip their head backwards, until the whole hard palate is visible). <br />Examine the buccal area and the gingivolabial (gingivobuccal) sulcus (the space between cheek and gums). <br />Examine the floor of the mouth, check for submandibular duct stones or masses (ask the patient to stick their tongue out). <br />Examine the nasopharynx and larynx with a mirror or flexible fibreoptic nasendoscope.
