Glossary: Ear Mouth Throat
Neck mass
Visible and/or palpable mass/lump on the neck.
Tonsillar swelling
Inflammation of the tonsils, becoming enlarged and/or with an erythema (redness).
Physiologic:
Pathologic:
Dental abscess
Acute inflammation and pus formation with pain, swelling and erythema localized to the affected tooth.
NOTE: The acute dental abscess is induced by bacteria and their toxic products and usually occurs secondary to caries, trauma or failed endodontic treatment.
Mastoiditis - tender swelling behind ear or protrusion of auricle
For physical exam, palpate behind both ears. Compare and decide if there is tender swelling of the mastoid bone (mastoiditis). In infants, the swelling may be above the ear. Do not confuse this swelling of the bone with swollen lymph nodes.
Ulcer of mouth
Ulcers are painful open sores on the inside of the mouth or/and lips or the tongue. They may be red or have white coating.
NOTE : In patients with measles, note that mouth ulcers are different than the small spots called Koplik spots. Koplikspots occur in the mouth inside the cheek during early stages of the measles infection. Koplik spots are small, irregular, bright red spots with a white spot in the centre. They do not interfere with drinking or eating. They do not need treatment.
Herpangina (vesicles in mouth)
Throat is often red with vesicles 1-2mm that can rupture resulting in yellow/grayish ulcerations. Often associated with fever, sore throat and headache.
Oral candidiasis
Oral candidiasis presents with white plaques in mouth, most often on tongue, palate and inner cheeks, difficult to remove.
Cheek swelling (bilateral)
Unilateral or bilateral enlargement of the cheeks. This may result from infection, injury or oral cancer.
Cheek swelling (unilateral)
Ear discharge
Suppurative discharge from the ear, sometimes with crust formation around the ear canal entrance. This can be a sign of acute or chronic ear infection.
Foreign body in ear
