A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:
- General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; furthermore:
- Inspection (viewing).
- Skin, mucous membranes
- Oral cavity [tongue coating, tongue discoloration, burning of the tongue (glossodynia); itching, tingling, or stabbing pain on the tongue; xerostomia (dry mouth)]
- Inspection (viewing).
- If necessary, dental examination [due toe.g. decayed teeth; ill-fitting/unmaintained dentures].
- Health check
Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.