Chapter 17: Special Senses Flashcards
Age-related Macular Degeneration
A disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision by affecting the macula, the part of the eye that allows a person to see fine detail. It is painless and in some cases can slowly worsen over time, causing little concern to the person, or it can rapidly progress and may cause blindness in both eyes. It is the leading cause of blindness in persons over the age of 60. It has two forms, wet and dry.
Ageusia
A rare inability to taste. More common is hypogeusia, a disorder in which the person affected has trouble distinguishing between tastes.
Anosmia
The complete loss of smell, which can be temporary (caused by an obstruction such as a polyp) or permanent (perhaps due to aging or a brain tumor).
Blepharitis
Common and persistent inflammation of the eyelid caused by poor hygiene, excessive oil production by the glands of the eyelid, or a bacterial infection. Signs and symptoms include itching, flakes on the eyelashes, and a gritty, sandy feeling.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Deafness resulting from condition in the eternal or middle ear that block the transfer of vibrations from tympanic membrane to the oval window.
Hyposmia
A lessened sensitivity to odors.
Mydriasis
Dilation of the pupils of the eye induced by medical eye drops or caused by disease.
Ophthalmologist
A physician who specializes in ophthalmology, which is the branch of medicine dealing with the diseases and surgery of the visual pathways, including the eye, brain, and areas surrounding the eye.
Optometrist
A primary eye care doctor who diagnoses, manages, and treats disorders of the visual system and eye disease and who also measures vision for the purpose of correcting one’s vision problems with specifically prescribed lenses.
Otalgia
Pain in the ear; an earache.
Photophobia
An oversensitivity to light possibly leading to tearing, discomfort, or pain. Causes include abrasions to the corneal area, inflammation, disease, and some medications.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Deafness resulting from problems within the cochlea or along the auditory nerve pathway.
Snellen Chart
A printed chart of block letters in graduated type sizes used to measure visual acuity.
Strabismus
The abnormal alignment of one or both eyes that prevents the person from gazing on the same point with both eyes.
Synesthesia
Abnormal condition in which sensory nerve messages connect to the wrong centers of the brain. For example, touching an object may produce the perception of a sound, while hearing a tone may produce the visualization of a color.
