Ears

Question 1

list the 3 functions of the middle ear

Answer 1

1. transmit sound = conducts sound vibrations from outer eat to central hearing apparatus in inner ear
2. protects inner ear = reduces amplitude of loud sounds
3. equalize pressure = eustachian tube equalizes air pressure on each side of tympanic membrane

Question 2

compare two pathways of hearing

Answer 2

AC (air conduction) = most efficient, vibrations are carried by middle ear ossicles to oval window
BC (bone conduction) = bones of skull vibrate + vibrations are transmitted directly to inner ear

Question 3

conductive VS sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 3

• conductive = mechanical dysfunction of external + middle ear. partial hearing loss. causes = impact cerumen, foreign bodies, perforated tympanic membrane, pus / semen, in middle ear of otosclerosis
• sensorineural = pathology of inner ear, increase in amplitude may not enable person to understand words. causes = prebycusis, ototoxic drugs

Question 4

relate the anatomic differences that place the infant at a greater risk for middle ear infections

Answer 4

infants have a shorter + wider, horizontal middle ear which makes it easier for pathogens from nasopharynx to migrate through middle ear

Question 5

describe whispered voice test for hearing acuity

Answer 5

whisper 3 random words/letters at different distances and see if patient can hear/repeat them

Question 6

explain positioning of a normal ear alignment in the child

Answer 6

shorter + have a slope

Question 7

define otosclerosis + presbycusis

Answer 7

• otosclerosis = gradual bone formation that causes the foot plate of stapes to become fixed in the oval window
• presbycusis = gradual sensorineural loss caused by nerve degeneration in inner ear that slowly progresses

Question 8

explain the motions used to straighten the ear canal when using the otoscope with and infant VS adult

Answer 8

infant = pull pinna down + back
adult = pull pinna up + back

Question 9

describe Darwins tubercle

Answer 9

small painless nodule on the helix

Question 10

describe a sebaceous cyst

Answer 10

behind the lobule in post auricle fold

Question 11

describe trophi

Answer 11

small whitish, yellow, hard, non tender nodules in/or near helix

Question 12

describe choridrodermatitis

Answer 12

painful nodules develop at rim of helix

Question 13

describe keloid

Answer 13

overgrowth of scare tissu which invades original site of trauma

Question 14

describe osteoma

Answer 14

single, stony/hard, rounded tubule that obscures the drum (benign)

Question 15

describe exostosis

Answer 15

small, bony/hard, rounded nodules of hypertrophic bone, converted with normal epithelium

Question 16

define furuncle

Answer 16

painful, reddened, infected hair follicle

Question 17

define polyp

Answer 17

arises in canal from granulomatous (mucosal tissue) redder than surrounding skin

Question 18

describe behaviour that might be demonstrated in a clinical interview by a patient who has hearing loss

Answer 18

• misunderstanding / asks to repeat questions)
• lip reading
• lean forward to hear better
• position head differently to hear better
• loud voice
• garbled / muffled speech

Question 19

define annulus

Answer 19

outer fibrous rim encircling the eardrum

Question 20

define atresia

Answer 20

congenital absence or closure of the ear canal

Question 21

define cerumen

Answer 21

yellow, waxy material that lubricates + protects ear canal

Question 22

define cochlea

Answer 22

inner ear structure containing the central hearing apparatus

Question 23

define cochlea

Answer 23

inner eat structure containing the central hearing apparatus

Question 24

define conductive hearing loss

Answer 24

hearing loss caused by fixation of the stapes (bone of inner ear)

Question 25

define conductive hearing loss

Answer 25

hearing loss containing the central hearing apparatus

Question 26

define Eustachian tube

Answer 26

opening that connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx + allows passage of air

Question 27

define helix

Answer 27

superior, posterior free rim of pinna

Question 28

define incus

Answer 28

middle ossicle of middle ear

Question 29

define malleus

Answer 29

first ossicle of middle ear

Question 30

define mastoid process

Answer 30

bony prominence of the skull located just behind the ear

Question 31

define organ of corti

Answer 31

sensory organ of hearing

Question 32

define otalgia

Answer 32

pain in ear

Question 33

define otitis externa

Answer 33

inflammation of outer ear + ear canal

Question 34

define otitis media

Answer 34

inflammation of the muddle ear and tympanic membrane

Question 35

define otorrhea

Answer 35

discharge from the ear

Question 36

define otosclerosis

Answer 36

gradual hardening that causes the footplate of the stapes to become fixed in the oval window, which impedes the transmission of sound + causes progressive deafness

Question 37

define pars flaccida

Answer 37

small, slack, superior section of the tympanic membrane

Question 38

define pars tensa

Answer 38

thick, taut, central or inferior section of the tympanic membraned

Question 39

define pinna

Answer 39

auricle or outer ear

Question 40

define presbycusis

Answer 40

gradual sensorineural hearing loss caused by nerve degeneration in the inner eat or auditory nerve, which occurs with aging

Question 41

define sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 41

aka perceptive loss; signifies pathology of the inner ear, cranial nerve VIII, or the auditory areas of the cerebral cortex

Question 42

define stapes

Answer 42

inner ossicle of middle ear

Question 43

define tinnutus

Answer 43

ringing of the ears

Question 44

define tympanic membrane

Answer 44

the eardrum; the tin, translucent, oval membrane that stretches across the ear canal + separates the middle eat from outer ear

Question 45

define umbo

Answer 45

the knob of malleus that shows through the tympanic membrane

Question 46

define vertigo

Answer 46

spinning, twirling sensation