How should the tongue be palpated during an examination?

During the examination of the tongue, proper palpation technique is crucial for assessing its condition effectively. Using one hand to hold the tongue steady while the other palpates allows for a more controlled and thorough examination. This technique enables the examiner to feel for any abnormalities such as lesions, swelling, or irregularities in texture while ensuring that the tongue remains in a stable position.

Holding the tongue with one hand provides a stable platform, which is particularly important because the tongue is a muscular organ that can move easily. By anchoring it, the examiner can better utilize their other hand to exert pressure and assess the tissue more effectively, making it a more precise method for examination.

In contrast, palpating with both hands equally may lead to inconsistent pressure or difficulty in controlling the tongue’s movements. Visual inspection alone may miss important tactile findings that palpation can reveal. Lastly, asking the patient to stick out the tongue can help in visual inspection but does not substitute for the tactile assessment that palpation provides. Overall, the technique of using one hand to steady the tongue while palpating with the other is essential for achieving the best results during the examination.