Unit 2 pt.2 Flashcards
eustachian tube
connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx and allows passage of air
middle ear
a tiny air filled cavity
When does the eustachian tube open?
swallowing or yawning
organ of corti
sensory organ of hearing
cranial nerve 8
vestibulocochlear nerve
sends signals to both sides of the brainstem
responsible for maintaining body balance and eye movements and cochlear nerve is responsible for hearing
What is the normal pathway of hearing?
air conduction but an alternate route is bone conduction
otosclerosis
cause of conductive hearing loss in young adults, the stapes becomes fixed in the oval window and impedes the transmission of sound
What happens to the ear in the aging adult?
cilia lining the ear becomes coarse and stiff, cerumen is drier bc apocrine glands become atrophied
presbycusis
age related hearing loss
occurs in over 2/3 of adults
What does sensorineural loss affect?
the middle ear structure, causes damage to nerve cells in the inner ear or cranial nerves
-cranial nerve 8
otorrhea
infected canal or perforated eardrum
external ear
funnels sound waves into opening, external auditory canal
tympanic membrane
eardrum
separates the external and middle ear
What does otoscopic infection consists of?
-making sure a prominent cone of light is visible
-malleus pulls at the center of the ear making it appear oval and slightly concave
-pars flaccida is the small slack superior section of the membrane
-pars tensa is the remainder of the membrane, thicker and more taut
what are the bones of the middle ear?
malleus, incus, stapes
What is the function of the middle ear?
conducts sounds vibrations from the outer ear to inner ear
protects the inner ear by reducing the amplitude of loud sounds
eustachian tube allows equalization of air pressure
inner ear
contains the bony labryinth, which holds the sensory organs for equilibrium and hearing
cochlea
contains central hearing apparatus
How does sound work?
ear transmits sound and converts the vibrations into electrical impulses
Anything that obstructs sound transmission….
impairs hearing
conductive hearing loss
involves a mechanical dysfunction of the external or middle ear
can be caused by cerumen buildup, otosclerosis, and ototoxicity
mixed hearing loss
results from conductive and sensorineural loss
In infants, what are some anatomical differences that alter hearing?
eustachian tube is relative short and wide
more horizontal
allows for easier migration of pathogens to the middle ear from nasopharynx
lumen is easily occluded
In adults, what are some anatomical differences that alter hearing?
younger than age 40, otosclerosis is common
In aging adults, what are some anatomical differences that alter hearing?
hearing acuity may be decreased because of the coarse and stiff cilia lining the ear,
cerumen
lubricates, waterproofs, and cleans the external auditory canal
What subjective data can be obtained about the ear?
ask about ear infections, earaches, tinnitus,
for children, ask if they put things in their ears, ask about contact sport involvement
What objective data can be obtained about the ear?
-note the size and shape of the auricle, ear position, and alignment on the head
-observe skin condition
-evaluate external auditory meatus
-perform otoscopic examination, inspect eardrum color, and integrity
-test hearing acuity
-perform Romberg test, evaluate inner ear ability to maintain standing balance
What should be incorporated in an ear assessment?
health promotion
How should the tympanic membrane appear in the older adult?
whiter, more opaque,duller
nose
first segment of respiratory system
warms, moistens, and filters air
vibrissae
coarse nasal hairs
turbinates
increase the surface area so more blood vessels and mucous membranes are available to warm, humidify, and filter the air
nasal mucosa
has rich blood supply
cranial nerve I
olfactory nerve
paranasal sinuses
lighten the weight of the skull bones
air filled pockets in the cranium
What two pairs of sinuses are accessible for exam?
frontal and maxillary
What two sinuses are present at birth?
maxillary and ethmoid
Kiesselbech’s plexus
most common site of nosebleeds
palate
roof of the mouth
soft palate is pink and mobile
hard palate is made of bone
uvula
free projection hanging down from the middle of soft palate
frenulum
midline fold that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth
tonsils
lymphoid tissues
What happens to the nose in aging adults?
subq fat is lost and nose protrudes, taste and smell is diminished
loss of taste buds leading to weight loss
peridontal disease
affects structures around the tooth
epitaxis
nosebleeds, can be spontaneous and w/ trauma
pt should lean forward and compress for 15 minutes
throat or pharynx
area behind the mouth and the nose
oropharynx
separated from the mouth by folds of tissue on each side, tonsils are behind these folds
What occurs in the nose, mouth, and throat in children?
children have normally 20 temporary teeth
What occurs in the nose, mouth, and throat in pregnancy?
nasal stuffiness, epitaxis occurs
What subjective data can be obtained about the nose, mouth, and throat?
ask about nosebleeds, sinus pain, trauma, allergies
-for the mouth and throat, sores, lesions, bleeding gums, toothaches
What objective data can be obtained about the nose, mouth, and throat?
-inspect the external nose
-test the patency of each nostril to reveal any obstruction
-inspect the nasal cavity
-observe the turbinates to check color
-palpate the frontal and maxillary sinus for tenderness
-inspect the lips, teeth, and gums
-inspect and palpate the uvula, say ahhhhh to check cranial nerve X, it should move
-to test cranial nerve 12 or CN XII, stick out the tongue
- to test gag reflex, assess cranial nerve 10 and cranial nerve 9 or CN IX
