What features are assessed when examining the tongue?

When examining the tongue, several key features are assessed, including color, lesions, and mobility.

The color of the tongue can provide significant insights into a person's health, as variations can indicate different conditions (e.g., a red tongue might suggest infection, while a pale tongue could indicate anemia). The presence of lesions may suggest various pathologies, such as oral thrush or geographic tongue, so observing the lesions' size, shape, and location is crucial. Mobility, or the ability of the tongue to move freely, is assessed to check for any restrictions or abnormalities that could affect speech, swallowing, or oral function.

These assessments are critical as they can help identify underlying health issues, making them integral to a thorough HEENT examination. The other options do not encompass the full scope of examination that is required for a complete assessment of the tongue’s condition.