What technique is used to assess the thyroid gland?

The technique commonly used to assess the thyroid gland is bimanual palpation. This method involves using both hands to examine the gland's size, shape, consistency, and any abnormalities. By placing one hand on the patient's neck and the other hand on the back, clinicians can effectively feel for the thyroid gland while having a comprehensive approach to assess both lobes simultaneously. This technique allows for a more accurate evaluation, as one hand can stabilize the region while the other assesses.

Direct palpation focuses on feeling the gland from one side but may miss vital details that a bimanual approach provides. Bilateral palpation allows for some level of comparison but does not use the stabilizing hand technique that bimanual palpation benefits from. Mandibular palpation relates to examining areas around the mandible, not the thyroid specifically, making it irrelevant to the assessment of thyroid health.