Lips
The upper and lower lips should be examined systematically
INSPECT:
- Skin around the lips
- Vermillion and vermillion border (dry, parakeratinised zone)
- Commissure / angles of mouth
Retract the lips with your fingers using a gauze swab to stabilise the mucosa
INSPECT:
- Non-keratinised/wet mucosal surface of the lips
- Buccal sulcus/vestibule
PALPATE:
- Bimanually feel lips for swelling/mass
NOTE:
- Site, size, shape, colour, contour, consistence of any lesion
- Mucosal or gingival bleeding, ulcers
