Ears Flashcards
list the 3 functions of the middle ear
- transmit sound = conducts sound vibrations from outer eat to central hearing apparatus in inner ear
- protects inner ear = reduces amplitude of loud sounds
- equalize pressure = eustachian tube equalizes air pressure on each side of tympanic membrane
compare two pathways of hearing
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
conductive VS sensorineural hearing loss
- 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
relate the anatomic differences that place the infant at a greater risk for middle ear infections
infants have a shorter + wider, horizontal middle ear which makes it easier for pathogens from nasopharynx to migrate through middle ear
describe whispered voice test for hearing acuity
whisper 3 random words/letters at different distances and see if patient can hear/repeat them
explain positioning of a normal ear alignment in the child
shorter + have a slope
define otosclerosis + presbycusis
- 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
explain the motions used to straighten the ear canal when using the otoscope with and infant VS adult
infant = pull pinna down + back
adult = pull pinna up + back
describe Darwins tubercle
small painless nodule on the helix
describe a sebaceous cyst
behind the lobule in post auricle fold
describe trophi
small whitish, yellow, hard, non tender nodules in/or near helix
describe choridrodermatitis
painful nodules develop at rim of helix
describe keloid
overgrowth of scare tissu which invades original site of trauma
describe osteoma
single, stony/hard, rounded tubule that obscures the drum (benign)
describe exostosis
small, bony/hard, rounded nodules of hypertrophic bone, converted with normal epithelium
define furuncle
painful, reddened, infected hair follicle
define polyp
arises in canal from granulomatous (mucosal tissue) redder than surrounding skin
describe behaviour that might be demonstrated in a clinical interview by a patient who has hearing loss
- misunderstanding / asks to repeat questions)
- lip reading
- lean forward to hear better
- position head differently to hear better
- loud voice
- garbled / muffled speech
define annulus
outer fibrous rim encircling the eardrum
define atresia
congenital absence or closure of the ear canal
define cerumen
yellow, waxy material that lubricates + protects ear canal
define cochlea
inner ear structure containing the central hearing apparatus
define cochlea
inner eat structure containing the central hearing apparatus
define conductive hearing loss
hearing loss caused by fixation of the stapes (bone of inner ear)
define conductive hearing loss
hearing loss containing the central hearing apparatus
define Eustachian tube
opening that connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx + allows passage of air
define helix
superior, posterior free rim of pinna
define incus
middle ossicle of middle ear
define malleus
first ossicle of middle ear
define mastoid process
bony prominence of the skull located just behind the ear
define organ of corti
sensory organ of hearing
define otalgia
pain in ear
define otitis externa
inflammation of outer ear + ear canal
define otitis media
inflammation of the muddle ear and tympanic membrane
define otorrhea
discharge from the ear
define otosclerosis
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
define pars flaccida
small, slack, superior section of the tympanic membrane
define pars tensa
thick, taut, central or inferior section of the tympanic membraned
define pinna
auricle or outer ear
define presbycusis
gradual sensorineural hearing loss caused by nerve degeneration in the inner eat or auditory nerve, which occurs with aging
define sensorineural hearing loss
aka perceptive loss; signifies pathology of the inner ear, cranial nerve VIII, or the auditory areas of the cerebral cortex
define stapes
inner ossicle of middle ear
define tinnutus
ringing of the ears
define tympanic membrane
the eardrum; the tin, translucent, oval membrane that stretches across the ear canal + separates the middle eat from outer ear
define umbo
the knob of malleus that shows through the tympanic membrane
define vertigo
spinning, twirling sensation
