Outer Ear Pathology Flashcards
how long is the avg adult ear
2.5 cm (1 inch) and .7 cm (.3 in) in diameter
what two branches of external carotid with an extensive network of anastomoses bw the branches are
superficial temporal artery & postauricular artery
waht makes reconstruction of an auricle difficult
intricate & delicate topography & blood supply
venous drainage of pinna ends in
external & internal jugular veins
sensory innervation of auricle is supplied by
lesser occipital nerve (cervical spinal nerves), auriculotemporal (trigeminal nerve) , & auricular branch (vagus nerve)
transmission of auricular deformities
ad or ar
Some auricular deformities may be an indication of
middle & inner ear abnormalities
why is it good practice to inspect outer ear during otoscopy
because some auricle deformities can be an indication of middle or inner ear issues
Children with auricular anomalies show a slightly increased risk of concurrent
renal abnormalities that can require medical/surgical intervention
what is microtia
underdevelopment of outer ear
range from complete agensis (absence of pinna) to small ears with atretic canals
peanut ear
twice as many ____ affacted as ____ in microtia
males, females
which ear is most often involved in microtia
right, rarely bilateral
what is anastomoses
connections
what is the auricle supplied by
arterial, venous, & nerve supply
stenosis
narrowing of ec
atresia
no opening of the ear canal
where is bilateral microtia frequently seen
treacher collins (first arch) syndrome
what is constricted ear
encircling helix is tight
what does constricted ear include
loop & cup ear
an inferior bending of the superior helix
loop ear
increase in the bowl size
cup ear
do people have the same ears?
no, every ear is different even between family members
what are auricular appendages
often a result of accessory auricular hillocks from which the auricle develops
usualy unilateral
can be skin or skin and cartilage (skin tag)
can present with HL
what are auricular sinuses/pits
Usually harmless, pit-like depression anterior to the auricle
May be a result of failed closure of part of the first branchial groove
can get blocked with debris or become infected
auricular trauma can result from
thermal injury
penetrating injury
blunt injury
why is auricle susceptibel to trauma
Because of its prominent and unprotected position
the ear has no protective reflex
Auricular trauma often requires
antibiotics and tetanus prophylaxis but may also require surgical reconstruction
Can occur as a result of blunt force trauma and contact sport
auricular hematoma
what is an auricular hematoma
Blood vessels in the perichondrium (membrane covering the cartilage of the outer ear) get separated from the underlying cartilage
Because the cartilage receives oxygen and nutrients from the perichondrium, the separation can result in devitalization of the avascular cartilage and subsequent fibrosis (scarring)
what happens if you leave the hematoma left untreated
new and asymmetric cartilage forms from the perichondrium resulting in a distorted/thickened external ear or cauliflower ear
who commonly gets auricular hematomas
wrestlers, boxers, & football players
chondrium
cartilage
per
over it