
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Mumps physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The characteristic presentation of mumps is tender, swollen parotid glands. Inflammation of submandibular and sublingual salivary glands is palpable in 10% of patients. Sialoadenitits is usually preceded by a low-grade fever. The jawbone is often not palpable and swelling pushes the angle of the ear out and up. 25% of patients present with unilateral swelling. Stensen’s duct orifice may be inflamed and erythematous. Lymph node swelling can be differentiated by the well-defined borders of the lymph nodes, location behind the angle of the jawbone, and lack of the ear protrusion or obscuring of the jaw angle.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
Vital Signs
- Low-grade fever
HEENT
- Tender, edematous salivary glands
- Swollen parotid glands (90% of patients)
- Swollen submandibular and sublingual glands (10% of patients)
- Swelling pushes angle of ear up and out
- Jawbone below ear often not visible or palpable at peak inflammation
- Patients may present with unilateral parotitis
- One parotid may swell before other
- 25% of patients only have unilateral swelling
- Stensen’s duct orifice may be inflamed and erythematous
- Lymph node swelling can be differentiated by well-defined borders of the lymph nodes, location behind the angle of the jawbone, and lack of the ear protrusion or obscuring of the jaw angle[1]
References
References
- ↑ Mumps. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (May 29, 2015). http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html Accessed March 09, 2016.
- ↑ “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: ; Nate Michalak, B.A.

![Child with parotitis. Adapted from the CDC.[2]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/7/77/Mumps_Source_CDC.jpg)