17.6 Oropharynx Abnormalities

Bifid Uvula

• uvula looks partly severed

• indicate a submucous cleft palate

• May affect speech development & prevents necessary air trapping

• More common in Native Americans

Oral Kaposi Sarcoma

• Bruise like, dark-red or violet confluent macule on hard palate

• earliest lesions to develop with AIDS

Peritonsillar Abscess

• untreated, acute streptococcal pharyngitis

• Major red flags=worsening symptoms or neck swelling, fever, and decreased range of motion

Acute Tonsillitis & Pharyngitis

• Inflammation of tonsils and pharynx, white or yellow exudate, tender anterior cervical and tonsil nodes

• Accompanied by severe sore throat, painful swallowing, fever >101 F of sudden onset

• consider strep infection if severe symptoms (>3-5 days)

• Tx=antibiotics

Cleft Palate

• congenital defect

• Failure of fusion of maxillary processes

• Can affect upper lip, hard or soft palates, uvula, nostril