When your healthcare provider gently presses on the outside of your throat and neck during an office visit, it may seem like a brief and unimportant part of your exam. But checking the throat and neck can help your healthcare provider diagnose many illnesses and disorders. These can range from a routine case of strep throat to a life-threatening cancer. Read on to learn what your healthcare provider is looking for.
Swollen glands
One of the things your healthcare provider checks for in an exam of the neck and throat is swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes). Your lymph nodes are located all over your neck and around your ears. They are normally small and soft. When you feel well, they're about the size of corn kernels. But they can get bigger and may be sore when they begin fighting an infection.
Thyroid
Gently pressing the outside of your throat also helps your healthcare provider find a swelling in your thyroid. This is an important gland with most of its flesh below and off to either side of your Adam's apple. Swelling could mean this key gland is not working correctly. An overactive thyroid may make you feel constantly jumpy. An underactive thyroid may make you feel sluggish. Your healthcare provider may also ask you to swallow during the thyroid exam.
Spinal column
Checking the back and sides of the neck can tip off your healthcare provider to muscle spasms or problems in your spinal column. These might be pinching a nerve and causing pain. Your healthcare provider can also find other chains of enlarged lymph nodes.
Circulatory problems
Finally, examining your neck can reveal possible circulatory problems. Your healthcare provider uses two fingers on each side of your neck to feel your carotid pulses. The right and left carotid arteries supply blood to your brain. Weak pulses could show a problem with the aortic valve or with the aorta. The aorta is the main blood vessel coming from the heart. Your healthcare provider may listen to the blood flow in the carotids with a stethoscope. This can tell them if you may be in danger of suffering a stroke. A clear carotid makes a "thump, THUMP" noise like a heartbeat. But a carotid can be dangerously clogged by cholesterol plaque. This is the waxy substance that builds up on artery walls and helps lead to heart attacks. A clogged carotid makes a telltale "whoosh, whoosh" noise. This warns your healthcare provider to do more testing.
Author: Ellis, Rodney M.D.
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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