Overview
How to Elicit
- Ask the patient to open their mouth and say 'ahh'. Move the tongue using a tongue depressor, and use a light to visualise the oral cavity.
Uvular Displacement
Look For
- Displacement of the uvula to either side, and whether displacement is associated with obvious swelling or mass.
Causes of Uvular Displacement
- Neurological - isolated contralateral vagus nerve (X) lesion, bulbar palsy, pseudobulbar palsy
- Mechanical - peritonsilar abscess
Asymmetric Soft Palate Rise
Look For
- Asymmetric rise of the soft palate when the patient says 'ahh'.
Causes of Asymmetric Palate Rise
- Neurological - isolated ipsilateral vagus nerve (X) lesion, bulbar palsy, pseudobulbar palsy
- Mechanical - unilateral pressure from above, e.g. mass
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