The Ear Pathology Flashcards
Audiology
Medical specialty involved with measuring hearing function and identifying hearing loss. Specialist is an ‘audiologist.’
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Branch of medicine involving the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Also referred to as ANT. Physician is an ‘otorhinolaryngologist.’
Macrotia
Condition of having abnormally large ears
Microtia
Condition of having abnormally small ears
Otalgia
Ear pain
Otopyorrhea
Discharge of pus from the ear
Otorrhagia
Bleeding from the ear
Presbycusis
Normal loss of hearing that can accompany the aging process
Residual Hearing
Amount of hearing that is still present after damage has occurred to the auditory mechanism
Tinnitus
Ringing in the ears
Tympanorrhexis
Rupture of the tympanic membrane
Vertigo
Dizziness caused by the sensation that the room is spinning
Anacusis
Total absence of hearing; inability to perceive sound. Also called ‘deafness.’
Deafness
Inability to hear or having some degree of hearing impairment
Ceruminoma
Excessive accumulation of earwax resulting in a hard wax plug. Sound becomes muffled
Otitis Externa (OE)
External ear infection. May be caused by bacteria or fungus. Also called otomycosis and commonly referred to as ‘swimmer’s ear.’
Otomycosis
Fungal infection of the ear. One type of otitis externa
Myringitis
Inflammation of the tympanic membrane
Otitis Media (OM)
Seen frequently in children; commonly referred to as a ‘middle ear infection.’ Often preceded by an upper respiratory infection during which pathogens move from the pharynx to the middle ear via the eustachian tube. Fluid accumulates in the middle ear cavity. The fluid may be watery, serous otitis media, or full of pus, purulent otitis media
Otosclerosis
Loss of mobility of the stapes bone, leading to progressive hearing loss
Salpingitis
Inflammation of the auditory tube
Tympanitis
Inflammation of the tympanic membrane
Acoustic Neuroma
Benign tumor of the eighth cranial nerve sheath. The pressure causes symptoms such as tinnitus, headache, dizziness, and progressive hearing loss
Labyrinthitis
May affect both the hearing and equilibrium portions of the inner ear. Also referred to as an ‘inner ear infection.’
Ménière’s Disease
Abnormal condition within the labyrinth of the inner ear that can lead to a progressive loss of hearing. The symptoms are dizziness or vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Named for French physician Prosper Ménière
