8 Focused Assessment- HEENT
Learning Objectives
At the end of this chapter, the learner will:
- Obtain a health history related to the head, eyes, ears, nose and throat (HEENT).
- Perform a physical assessment of the body systems that make up HEENT using correct techniques.
- Document findings of the HEENT and neck exam.
I. Overview of the Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat (HEENT)
The assessment of the HEENT systems will include examinations of the head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat/neck. The HEENT examination will include assessing the HEENT for symmetry, and color; hair distribution to scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes; hydration status of the mucus membranes to the nose and mouth; the number and condition of teeth, palate structure and uvula placement and color of lips and buccal membrane. Included in the assessment are the XII cranial nerves.
The examination of the HEENT systems will be completed by inspecting and palpating the head, eyes, ears, nose, throat/neck, lymph nodes, and testing the cranial nerves that innervate the function of each organ/structure of HEENT.
II. Anatomy and Physiology
Click the links below to review anatomy and physiology of the HEENT system. In the assessment process, you will need to apply your knowledge of the A & P to the HEENT system.
Watch and learn from the following videos:
Please use this link if the Youtube is not visible Landmarks of the Head and Neck
Anatomy of the muscle of the Head and the Neck. If the picture is not visible click the link: https://psychology.wikia.org/wiki/Zygomaticus_major_muscle
If the picture below is not visible click on the link: Structures and functions of the eyes
Anatomy of the Ear: If the picture below is not visible click on the link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anatomy_of_the_ear.jpg
If the picture below is not visible then click on this link: Anatomy of the Nose
Anatomy of the Oral cavity If the picture is not visible click on this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouth_assessment
Anatomy of the Lymph Nodes to the Head and Neck if the picture is not visible click the link: https://medika.life/the-lymph-nodes/
Cranial Nerve Function-This is discussed in more detail in the Neurological chapter.
|
Number
|
Mnemonic
|
Cranial Nerve
|
Function (S/M/B)
|
Mnemonic
|
|
I |
On |
Olfactory |
Smell (S) |
Some |
|
II |
On |
Optic |
Vision (S) |
Say |
|
III |
On |
Oculomotor |
Eye Movements (M) |
Marry |
|
IV |
They |
Trochlear |
Eye Movements (M) |
Money |
|
V |
Traveled |
Trigeminal |
Sensory/motor – face (B) |
But |
|
VI |
And |
Abducens |
Eye movements (M) |
My |
|
VII |
Found |
Facial |
Motor-face, Taste (B) |
Brother |
|
VIII |
Voldemort |
Vestibulocochlear (Auditory) |
Hearing/Balance (S) |
Says |
|
IX |
Guarding |
Glossopharyngeal |
Motor – throat Taste (B) |
Big |
|
X |
Very |
Vagus |
Motor/sensory – viscera (autonomic) (B) |
Bucks |
|
XI |
Ancient |
Accessory |
Motor-head &neck (M) |
Mean |
|
XII |
Horcruxes |
Hypoglossal |
Motor-lower throat (M) |
More |
Knowled