- For palpation of the mastoid process alone:
May I touch your head just below your ear?
(If the answer is yes) I will gently place my fingers on your head just below your ear (or demonstrate touching the mastoid process).
(If the answer is no) I will just look at the side of your head. - For palpation of the sternoceleidomastoid muscle and then the mastoid process:
May I touch the side of your neck just below your ear?
(If the answer is yes) I will gently place my fingers on a muscle on the side of your neck and follow along this muscle until it attaches to a bone at the side of your head (or demonstrate touching the sternocleidomastoid muscle and then the mastoid process). During this time, I may turn your head and ask you to hold this position while I gently resist you.
(If the answer is no) I will just look at the side of your neck and head.
- For palpation of the mastoid process alone:
Ask the patient/client if you may touch the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The mastoid process may be prominent enough, so that initial palpation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is not necessary.
If the answer is yes, place one or two fingers on the mastoid process.
If the answer is no, inspect the area visually. - For palpation of the sternoceleidomastoid muscle and then the mastoid process:
Ask the patient/client if you may touch the sternocleidomastoid muscle that will lead to its attachment on the mastoid process.
If the answer is yes, position the head in contralateral rotation to make the sternocleidomastoid muscle prominent. Place one or two fingers on this muscle. If necessary ask the patient/client to hold this position while you resist contralateral rotation. Provide resistance on the head and not on the mandible. Follow the sternocleidomastoid muscle to its attachment on the mastoid process.
If the answer is no, inspect the area visually.This video demonstrates palpation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle with the cervical spine contralaterally rotated and with the palpation progressing from the inferior attachment site of the muscle to the superior attachment site on the mastoid process.
There is no audio with the patient/client video.