ears Flashcards
BPPV
Ménière’s disease
ear
- The ear is composed of the external ear, middle ear, and inner ear. The external structures are the
pinna, auditory canal, and tympanic membrane. The tympanic cavity (containing three bones: the malleus, the incus, and the stapes), oval window, eustachian tube, and fluid compose the middle ear and transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear.
ear
- The inner ear includes the bony and membranous labyrinths that transmit sound waves through the cochlea to the acoustic division of the eighth cranial nerve. The semicircular canals and vestibule help maintain balance through the equilibrium receptors.
ear
- Hearing loss can be classified as conductive, sensorineural, mixed, or functional.
ear
- Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot be conducted through the middle ear.
- Sensorineural hearing loss develops with impairment of the organ of Corti or its central
connections. Presbycusis is the most common form of sensorineural hearing loss in older adults.
ear
- A combination of conductive and sensorineural loss is a mixed hearing loss.
- Loss of hearing with no known organic cause is a functional hearing loss.
- Ménière’s disease is a disorder of the middle ear that affects hearing and balance.
- Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear associated with prolonged exposure to moisture.
- Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear that is common in children. Accumulation of fluid
(effusion) behind the tympanic membrane is a common finding.
outer ear
pinna
external auditory canal
temporal bones
Metus/mastoid process/aircells
tympanic membrane
Eustachian tube
middle ear to nasopharynx
pressure
connects mucous of throat
inner ear
osseous labyrinth
perilymph
cochlea
vestibule
semicircular canals
cochlea
organ of corti-hearing receptors
cocler branch of cranial nerve 8 - vetibulococlear —-auditory complex of TEMPORAL LOBE
vestibule
utrical /sacule
MACULAE- receptors for static equilibrium
head moves - otoliths ( calcium salts ) move with gravity -hit hair cells
BALANCE
Semi-circular canals
dynamic equilibrium
3 - have CRISTA AMPULLARIS
eustachian tube functions
connects middle ear with pharynx
The physiologic functions of the eustachian are as follows: Ventilation or pressure regulation of the middle ear. Protection of the middle ear from nasopharyngeal secretions and sound pressures. Clearance or drainage of middle ear secretions into the nasopharynx.
opens with swallowing
eustachian tube functions
block and otitis Media
Blockage of the Eustachian tube isolates the middle ear space from the outside environment. The lining of the middle ear absorbs the trapped air and creates a negative pressure that pulls the eardrum inward. The eardrum is thin and pliable, like plastic wrap, and is densely innervated. When it becomes stretched inward, patients often experience pain, pressure, and hearing loss. Long-term blockage of the Eustachian tube leads to the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear space that further increases the pressure and hearing loss. This is called serous otitis media. Should bacteria contaminate this fluid, a middle ear infection may result, called acute otitis media.”
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the presence of fluid in the middle ear without symptoms of acute infection.
Its management includes pain management, watchful waiting, antimicrobial therapy for severe illness and placement of tympanostomy tubes when there is persistent bilateral effusion and significant hearing loss.
Complications of this include mastoiditis, brain abscess, meningitis, and chronic otitis media with hearing loss. Persistent middle ear effusions may affect speech language, and cognitive abilities. There are multivalent vaccines available in reducing disease incidence.
epistaxis
nose bleed
anterior
What is anterior epistaxis?
Anterior epistaxis refers to a nosebleed that originates from the anterior (frontal) part of the nose. Most of the time, cases of anterior epistaxis originate from the Kiesselbach plexus, which is a vascular network found on the nasal septum, as these arteries can be easily traumatized. Anterior epistaxis is the most common type of nosebleed, and usually involves one nostril.
What is posterior epistaxis?
What is posterior epistaxis?
Posterior epistaxis refers to bleeding from the posterior or superior nasal cavity. Most often, it originates from the Woodruff plexus, which is a vascular network found in the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. Posterior epistaxis usually involves both nostrils. For these types of nosebleeds, the blood may also flow backwards and uncomfortably get swallowed or coughed up (hemoptysis).
Often, diagnosis of posterior epistaxis occurs after failing to manage an anterior epistaxis, or noticing bleeding into the posterior pharynx or throat. It is often harder for healthcare professionals to visualize the source of a posterior bleeding in a physical examination; thus, a nasal endoscopy is often performed by a clinician to help identify the origin of the bleed.
