Physical examination maneuver

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. Identify the thyroid cartilage, the cricoid cartilage, and the region of the thyroid gland below the cricoid. Ask the patient to swallow a sip of water and watch the thyroid region rise with swallowing, noting the size, symmetry, and contour of the gland and any visible mass or enlargement.

How to Interpret

Showing all 2 findings

Goiter

Visibly enlarged thyroid (a goiter) - lower-anterior-neck fullness or swelling that rises with swallowing
Rule in
Somewhat helpful
Rule out
Somewhat helpful
Evidence:Strong

Thyroid Nodule

Visible thyroid nodule or focal anterior-neck mass moving with swallowing
Rule in
Not helpful
Rule out
Not helpful
Evidence:Limited

References

  • Siminoski K. The rational clinical examination. Does this patient have a goiter? JAMA. 1995;273(10):813-817. 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.
  • McGee S. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Related Systems / Regions

EndocrineNeck

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Thyroid Palpation
Rule in:IEGoiter or Thyroid Nodule
Rule out:IEGoiter or Thyroid Nodule
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Carotid Artery Palpation
Rule in:HAortic Stenosis, HTakayasu Arteritis, SHAortic Dissection +7 more
Rule out:SHAortic Stenosis, IEAortic Regurgitation, IECarotid Artery Stenosis +5 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Blood Pressure
Rule in:VHAortic Regurgitation, VHVolume Depletion From Significant Blood Loss, HAcute Aortic Dissection +11 more
Rule out:VHVolume Depletion From Significant Blood Loss, HLow-output State (Low Cardiac Index) Within Established Chronic Heart Failure, SHAcute Aortic Dissection +10 more
🔒Sign in
Cardiac Auscultation
Rule in:VHAortic Stenosis, VHHeart Failure, VHHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Obstruction +34 more
Rule out:VHAortic Stenosis, VHHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Obstruction, SHAortic Regurgitation +33 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Heart Rate
Rule in:HAtrial Fibrillation, SHHypothyroidism, SHPneumonia +7 more
Rule out:VHAtrial Fibrillation, MHAdverse Short-term Outcome in Confirmed Pulmonary Embolism, IECardiac Tamponade +5 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Point of Maximal Impulse
aka Apical impulse; apex beat
Rule in:VHLeft Ventricular Dilation, HLeft Ventricular Hypertrophy, SHCardiomegaly +7 more
Rule out:VHLeft Ventricular Dilation, SHLeft Ventricular Hypertrophy, MHCardiomegaly +7 more