Test: Lymph Node Palpation

Video Link

Background/Purpose

Cervical lymph nodes are lymph nodes found in the neck. Of the 800 lymph nodes in the human body, 300 are in the neck. Cervical lymph nodes are subject to a number of different pathological conditions including tumours, infection and inflammation.

Procedure

For palpation of preauricular nodes, roll your finger in front of the ear, against the maxilla.
Sub occipital lymph nodes are palpable immediately behind the ear.
Posterior cervical nodes are behind sternomastoid and in front of Trapezius.
Sub maxillary and Sub mental nodes: Roll your fingers against inner surface of Mandible with patient's head gently tilted towards one side.
Tonsillar nodes: At the angle of Mandible.
Deep cervical lymph nodes should be palpated, one side at a time. Gently bend the patient's head forward and roll your fingers over the deeper muscles along the carotid arteries.
To feel Scalene nodes roll your fingers gently behind the clavicles. Instruct the patient to cough or to bear down like they are having a bowel movement. Occasionally an enlarged lymph node may pop up.
Describe size, location, mobility and character of the skin over the lymph nodes.
>1cm is clinically significant.
Consistency: Soft (insignificant), rubbery (classically lymphoma) , hard (classically malignancy & granulomatous infection).

Performed: Unilaterally

Dialog

Cervical lymph node palpation.

Criteria

• < 1cm
• Non-tender

Measurement

LOINC Code

0

Scale/Grading

Pass/Fail