What clinical sign is NOT commonly associated with exophthalmos?

Exophthalmos, characterized by the protrusion of one or both eyes, is generally associated with numerous clinical signs that reflect changes in the ophthalmic and surrounding structures. Normal eye position stands out as a sign not typically linked to this condition because exophthalmos itself denotes an abnormal position of the eye.

When observing exophthalmos, clinicians often note facial swelling, which can occur as the result of inflammation or neoplastic processes affecting the orbit, leading to increased intra-orbital volume. Additionally, a soft palate bulge can be associated with masses or conditions impacting the oropharyngeal area when cranial nerve function is affected by orbital disease. Pain upon mouth opening may indicate concurrent conditions such as temporomandibular joint disease or masticatory muscle inflammation but does not directly connect with the primary issue of exophthalmos.

Thus, the presence of a normal eye position contradicts the definition of exophthalmos, reinforcing its identification as the correct response to the question regarding clinical signs that are not commonly associated with the condition.