Below is a summary of the steps conducted during an examination of the oral cavity and oropharynx

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• Use the tongue depressor to systematically examine the oral cavity

• Start superiorly looking at hard & soft palate

• Look at tonsils (colour, size shape, symmetry, presence of pus/ discharge)

• Look at buccal spaces bilaterally

• Ensure to look under the tongue & at the floor of mouth (an area pathology can be missed)

• Palpation of the structures of the mouth is helpful in specific circumstances e.g. submandibular gland enlargement

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