In infants and children, how does the thyroid gland typically feel upon examination?

In infants and children, it is typically expected that the thyroid gland is not easily palpated during a physical examination. This is due to the relatively small size of the gland in this age group and its position deeper in the neck compared to adults. In healthy infants and young children, the thyroid gland may be anatomically present but is often not palpable or felt during a normal examination unless it is enlarged due to conditions such as goiter or other thyroid pathologies.

The other options describe characteristics that are not usual for the thyroid gland in this population. For instance, a large and soft thyroid gland (the first option) could indicate an enlarged gland potentially associated with a goiter or other thyroid conditions, which is not the norm. A firm and nodular feel (the second option) would suggest abnormal growths or conditions such as thyroid nodules, which are less common in infants and children. A normal and easily palpable thyroid gland (the third option) implies that it is average in size and may be an expectation in adults, but this not true for the pediatric population in most cases. Therefore, the correct understanding reflects that the thyroid gland in infants and children is often not palpable during examination, supporting the answer that it is "unable to feel."