Which structure is routinely palpated as part of a head and neck examination?

• A. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
• B. Patellar tendon
• C. Acromioclavicular joint
• D. Achilles tendon

Answer: (A)

The ability to palpate the temporomandibular joint during a head and neck examination hinges on assessing jaw function and identifying TMJ pathology. This joint, which sits just in front of the ear where the mandible meets the temporal bone, is routinely checked because movement, tenderness, or crepitus here can signal disorders like TMJ syndrome, inflammation, or mechanical dysfunction. You can feel for tenderness and movement-related changes by placing your fingers over the joint and asking the patient to open and close their mouth and move the jaw side to side. Noting any limited range, deviation, or clicking helps explain facial pain, headaches, or jaw locking, guiding further management.

The other structures listed aren’t part of the standard head and neck exam. The patellar tendon is in the knee, the acromioclavicular joint lies in the shoulder girdle, and the Achilles tendon is at the heel. These are evaluated in other regional musculoskeletal assessments, not during a routine head and neck assessment.