Chapter 5: Diseases of the External Ear Flashcards
Auricle/Pinna (Portion)
Cartilaginous portion (outer 1/3) MOBILE Bony portion (inner 2/3)
External ear (Function)
- Collect and funnel sound waves to the middle ear structures
- Protects the TM from injury
External auditory canal (length)
- 2.5 cm long
2. Extending from the anterior lip of the concha to the TM
Narrowest area of the canal
Bone-cartilage junction
Upon inserting otoscope, the auricle should pull…
Posterolateral
Susceptible to infection
Epithelium-line pouch (can trap moisture)
Skin lining of cartilaginous portion
- Thicker than the bony portion
2. Contains hair follicle
- The only place in the body where there is skin directly overlying bone with no subcutaneous tissue
- Extremely sensitive and any swelling is very painful (no room for expansion)
Bony external auditory canal
Provides protection through formation of cerumen or ear wax
External ear
Location of glandular structures, sebaceous and apocrine glands that produce cerumen
Cartilaginous portion
Provides a protective, water-repellent coating to the canal
Cerumen + exfoliated cells of the stratum corneum
pH of cerumen
6 (acidic)
Provides a cleansing mechanism form the TM outward
Migration of desquamated epithelial cells
Ear canal infections are more common in a…
Warm, humid environment
More common presenting symptoms of conditions involving the auricle and external auditory canal
- Pain (otalgia)
- Itching
- Swelling
- Bleeding
- Blocked sensation
Product of both sebaceous and apocrine glands which are located in the cartilaginous portion of EAC
Cerumen
Types of cerumen
- Wet (dominant)
2. Dry
Has bactericidal properties
Cerumen
Acts as a vehicle for the removal of epithelial debris and contaminants away from the TM
Cerumen
Provides lubrication and prevents desiccation of the epidermis with its associated fissuring
Cerumen
Components of cerumen that are believed to be inhibitory or bactericidal
- Fatty acids
- Lysozyme
- Immunoglobulin
Drier in older individuals because of…
- Atrophy of the apocrine gland
2. Lessening of the sweat component of the cerumen
May present as a keratin plug occluding the EAC
- Keratosis obturans
2. Cholesteatoma
Bilateral and may present with bronchiectasis and chronic sinusitis
Keratosis obturans
Patients presents with pain and hearing loss
Keratosis obturans
- Widening of external canal
- Hyperplasia
- Inflammation of the epithelium and subthelium
- No bony erosion
Keratosis obturans
Postulated theory of keratosis obturans
- Overproduction of squamous epithelium and squamous plugs
2. Faulty migration of the epithelium
Management of keratosis obturans
- Plug removal
2. Treatment of inflammatory process