Physical Exam

Thyroid Inspection

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

With the patient seated and the neck neutral or slightly extended, inspect the lower anterior neck from the front and from the side. Identify the thyroid cartilage, the cricoid cartilage, and the region of the thyroid gland below the cricoid. Note the size, symmetry, and contour of the gland and any visible mass or enlargement.

How to Interpret

Goiter

Visibly enlarged thyroid (goiter)

Rule in

HelpfulNo CI

Rule out

Somewhat helpfulNo CI

Evidence:Limited

References

Siminoski K. Does this patient have a goiter? JAMA. 1995;273(10):813-817. doi:10.1001/jama.1995.03520340069038. PMID: 7861577.
Soto Jacome C, Garcia A, Golembiewski E, Loor-Torres R, Duran M, Segura D, Toro-Tobon D, Fan JW, Singh Ospina N, Brito JP. Physical Examination of the Thyroid: Accuracy in Detecting Thyroid Nodules and Frequency of Additional Findings. Endocr Pract. 2024 Jan;30(1):31-35. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2023.10.002. PMID 37805101.
Girard M, DeLuca SA. Thyroglossal duct cyst. Am Fam Physician. 1990;42:665-668. PMID: 2392967.
Wallace C, Siminoski K. The Pemberton sign. Ann Intern Med. 1996;125(7):568-569. PMID: 8815756.
Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
Dean DS, Gharib H. Epidemiology of thyroid nodules. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;22(6):901-911. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2008.09.019. PMID: 19041821.
Peterson S, Sanga A, Eklof H, Bunga B, Taube A, Gebre-Medhin M, Rosling H. Classification of thyroid size by palpation and ultrasonography in field surveys. Lancet. 2000;355(9198):106-110. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(99)07221-9. PMID: 10675168.
Soto Jacome C, Garcia A, Golembiewski E, Loor-Torres R, Duran M, Segura D, Toro-Tobon D, Fan JW, Singh Ospina N, Brito JP. Physical Examination of the Thyroid: Accuracy in Detecting Thyroid Nodules and Frequency of Additional Findings. Endocr Pract. 2024;30(1):31-35. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2023.10.002. PMID: 37805101.
Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.
Wallace C, Siminoski K. The Pemberton sign. Ann Intern Med. 1996;125(7):568-569. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-125-7-199610010-00006. PMID: 8815756.

Research last updated September 10, 2026.