What is the best way to inspect the tongue?
By achieving its effective protrusion. This is best accomplished by asking the patient to say the infamous
“Ahhhh” (or “Aeee,” but probably not “Ha”—as previously discussed) while at the same time
protruding and curling the tongue upward, which allows access to the sublingual surface of the organ.
Examination of the far interior and lateral aspect can be accomplished by placing gauze on the tip of the tongue, gently grasping it, and pulling it out. Note that a unilateral paralysis of cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal) is associated with asymmetric protrusion of the tongue.
By achieving its effective protrusion. This is best accomplished by asking the patient to say the infamous
“Ahhhh” (or “Aeee,” but probably not “Ha”—as previously discussed) while at the same time
protruding and curling the tongue upward, which allows access to the sublingual surface of the organ.
Examination of the far interior and lateral aspect can be accomplished by placing gauze on the tip of the tongue, gently grasping it, and pulling it out. Note that a unilateral paralysis of cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal) is associated with asymmetric protrusion of the tongue.