Ear Flashcards
What is an auricular hematoma?
A localized collection of blood between the perichondrium and the auricular cartilage, causing distortion of the contours.
If an auricular hematoma goes untreated, what happens?
Fibrosis of overlying skin, deformed auricle (cauliflower ear)
The external acoustic meatus and tympanic membrane can be viewed with a….
Otoscope
Why worry about using an otoscope on an infant?
Little meatus means more likely to injure tympanic membrane.
What color is a normal tympanic membrane?
Translucent, Pearly-gray
What should you see in the antero-inferior region of the ear?
The light reflex – a cone of light bouncing back at you
What is otitis externa?
Inflammation of the external acoustic meatus. May be due to bacterial infection of the skin lining the meatus. Itching, pain, and made worse by pulling on the auricle.
Who is likely to suffer from otitis externa?
Swimmers who don’t dry their ear canals
What is otitis media?
Inflammation of the middle ear.
Symptoms seen in otitis media?
An earache and a bulging, red tympanic membrane (pus in middle ear)
Where do otitis media infections tend to come from?
Upper respiratory infections through the pharyngotympanic tube.
Consequences of untreated otitis media?
Impaired hearing due to scarring of auditory ossicles. Can cause perforation of tympanic membrane.
Whats a classy way to day ruptured eardrum?
Perforation of Tympanic Membrane
Potential causes of perforation of the tympanic membrane?
Otitis Media, Foreign Bodies, Trauma, Excessive Pressure
How is a perforated ear drum treated?
Surgical repair with a potential release of pus (myringotomy)
If performing a myringotomy, what structures must be avoided?
Chorda Tympani and Auditory Ossicles
Treatment for patients with chronic middle ear infections?
Myringotomy + Insertion of Tympanostomy/Pressure Equalization Tubes
What is Mastoiditis?
Infections of the mastoid antrum and mastoid cells.
Children with mastoiditis are at risk for development of…
Osteomyelitis – bone infection of tegmen tympani
What invention greatly decreased the frequency of mastoiditis?
Antibiotics.
What nerve must surgeons be conscious of when performing a procedure for mastoiditis?
Facial
How might infections of the pharynx influence hearing?
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharyngotympanic tube may cause an occlusion. Residual air is absorbed by mucosal vessels, causing diminished pressure in the tympanic cavity. This will retract the tympanic membrane and hinder its free movement, altering hearing.
Symptom of paralysis of the stapedius?
Excessive acuteness of hearing (hyperacusis)
What are otoliths?
Small dense particles embedded in the maculae of the membranous labyrinth.
