Physical Exam

Thyroid Palpation

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Standing behind or in front of the seated patient, locate the thyroid and cricoid cartilages; the isthmus lies just below the cricoid. Ask the patient to swallow (offer a sip of water) and feel the gland rise. Palpate each lobe by displacing the trachea slightly toward the side being examined and feeling between the trachea and the sternocleidomastoid. Note the size, symmetry, consistency, nodularity, and tenderness.

How to Interpret

This test’s findings are all below your current evidence filter.

References

Jacome CS, 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. PMID: 37805101. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2023.10.002. [PRIMARY ANCHOR — retrospective real-world cohort, n=327, thyroid palpation vs ultrasound reference: solitary nodule sens 20.3% / spec 79.1%; multinodular goiter sens 10.8% / spec 96.5%.] Supporting/historical: Brander A, Viikinkoski P, Tuuhea J, Voutilainen L, Kivisaari L. Clinical versus ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland in common clinical practice. J Clin Ultrasound. 1992;20(1):37-42. PMID: 1309541 (an agreement study, 72 patients; 43 of 77 separate nodules escaped palpation) — not a clean diagnostic-accuracy 2x2; and an 8-study review summarized in Jacome 2024 (palpation sensitivity 6.3-16.7% for nodules <1 cm, 48.1-57.6% for larger nodules; older, mostly experimental designs).
McGee S. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.