The appendages or accessory structures of an organ. In the eye, these are the structures outside the eyeball, including the orbit, eye muscles, eyelids, eyelashes, conjunctiva, and lacrimal apparatus.

Dimness of vision or the partial loss of sight, especially in one eye, without detectable disease of the eye.

Any error of refraction in which images do not focus properly on the retina.

A condition in which the pupils are unequal in size.

A condition in which the eye does not focus properly because of uneven curvatures of the cornea.

The use of an audiometer to measure hearing acuity.

The loss of transparency of the lens of the eye that causes a progressive loss of visual clarity.

A nodule or cyst, usually on the upper eyelid, caused by obstruction in a sebaceous gland.

An electronic device that bypasses the damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, usually caused by an infection or allergy; also known as pinkeye.

An inflammation of the lacrimal gland that can be a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

The perception of two images of a single object; also known as double vision.

The eversion (turning outward) of the edge of an eyelid.

The normal relationship between the refractive power of the eye and the shape of the eye that that enables light rays to focus correctly on the retina.

The inversion (turning inward) of the edge of an eyelid.

Strabismus characterized by an inward deviation of one eye or both eyes; also known as cross-eyes.

Strabismus characterized by the outward deviation of one eye relative to the other; also known as walleye.

fluorescein angiography (FA, FAG)

A photographic study of the blood vessels in the back of the eye following the intravenous injection of a fluorescein dye that acts as a contrast medium.

A group of eye diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) that causes damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibers.

Blindness in one-half of the visual field.

A pus-filled and often painful lesion on the eyelid resulting from an infection in a sebaceous gland; also known as a stye.

A vision defect in which light rays focus beyond the retina; also known as farsightedness.

infectious myringitis

A contagious inflammation associated with a middle-ear infection that causes painful blisters on the eardrum.

The surgical removal of a portion of the iris tissue.

Inflammation of the uvea affecting primarily structures in the front of the eye.

The surgical removal of all or a portion of the labyrinth of the inner ear.

laser trabeculoplasty

Treatment of open-angle glaucoma in which a laser is used to create an opening in the trabecular meshwork to allow fluid to drain properly.

The surgical removal of mastoid cells.

A vision defect in which light rays focus in front of the retina; also known as nearsightedness.

A small surgical incision into the eardrum to relieve pressure from excess pus or fluid or to create an opening for the placement of ear tubes.

A condition in which an individual with normal daytime vision has difficulty seeing at night; also known as night blindness.

Involuntary, constant, rhythmic movement of the eyeball.

The visual examination of the fundus (back part) of the eye with an ophthalmoscope; also known as funduscopy.

A specialist who holds a Doctor of Optometry degree and provides primary eye care, including diagnosing eye diseases and conditions and measuring the accuracy of vision to determine if corrective lenses are needed.

Help

Options

focusNode

Didn't know it?
click below

Knew it?
click below

Don't Know

Remaining cards (0)

Know

retry

shuffle

restart

0:00

Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.

Normal Size Small Size show me how

Eyes and Ears

Term	Definition
blephar/o	Eyelid
-cusis	Hearing.
irid/o	Iris, colored part of eye.
kerat/o	Cornea, hard, or horny.
myring/o	Tympanic membrane, eardrum.
ophthalm/o	Eye or vision.
-opia	Vision condition.
opt/o	Vision or eye.
ot/o	Ear or hearing.
phak/o	Lens of eye.
presby/o	Old age.
retin/o	Retina or net.
scler/o	White of eye, sclera or hard.
trop/o	Turn or change.
tympan/o	Tympanic membrane, eardrum.
adnexa	The appendages or accessory structures of an organ. In the eye, these are the structures outside the eyeball, including the orbit, eye muscles, eyelids, eyelashes, conjunctiva, and lacrimal apparatus.
amblyopia	Dimness of vision or the partial loss of sight, especially in one eye, without detectable disease of the eye.
ametropia	Any error of refraction in which images do not focus properly on the retina.
anisocoria	A condition in which the pupils are unequal in size.
astigmatism (AS)	A condition in which the eye does not focus properly because of uneven curvatures of the cornea.
audiometry	The use of an audiometer to measure hearing acuity.
cataract (CAT)	The loss of transparency of the lens of the eye that causes a progressive loss of visual clarity.
chalazion	A nodule or cyst, usually on the upper eyelid, caused by obstruction in a sebaceous gland.
cochlear implant	An electronic device that bypasses the damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve.
conjunctivitis (CI)	Inflammation of the conjunctiva, usually caused by an infection or allergy; also known as pinkeye.
dacryoadenitis	An inflammation of the lacrimal gland that can be a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
diplopia	The perception of two images of a single object; also known as double vision.
ectropion	The eversion (turning outward) of the edge of an eyelid.
emmetropia	The normal relationship between the refractive power of the eye and the shape of the eye that that enables light rays to focus correctly on the retina.
entropion	The inversion (turning inward) of the edge of an eyelid.
esotropia	Strabismus characterized by an inward deviation of one eye or both eyes; also known as cross-eyes.
exotropia	Strabismus characterized by the outward deviation of one eye relative to the other; also known as walleye.
fluorescein angiography (FA, FAG)	A photographic study of the blood vessels in the back of the eye following the intravenous injection of a fluorescein dye that acts as a contrast medium.
glaucoma (G, glc)	A group of eye diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) that causes damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibers.
hemianopia	Blindness in one-half of the visual field.
hordeolum	A pus-filled and often painful lesion on the eyelid resulting from an infection in a sebaceous gland; also known as a stye.
hyperopia	A vision defect in which light rays focus beyond the retina; also known as farsightedness.
infectious myringitis	A contagious inflammation associated with a middle-ear infection that causes painful blisters on the eardrum.
iridectomy	The surgical removal of a portion of the iris tissue.
iritis	Inflammation of the uvea affecting primarily structures in the front of the eye.
keratitis	Inflammation of the cornea.
labyrinthectomy	The surgical removal of all or a portion of the labyrinth of the inner ear.
laser trabeculoplasty	Treatment of open-angle glaucoma in which a laser is used to create an opening in the trabecular meshwork to allow fluid to drain properly.
mastoidectomy	The surgical removal of mastoid cells.
mydriasis	The dilation of the pupil.
myopia	A vision defect in which light rays focus in front of the retina; also known as nearsightedness.
myringotomy	A small surgical incision into the eardrum to relieve pressure from excess pus or fluid or to create an opening for the placement of ear tubes.
nyctalopia	A condition in which an individual with normal daytime vision has difficulty seeing at night; also known as night blindness.
nystagmus	Involuntary, constant, rhythmic movement of the eyeball.
ophthalmoscopy	The visual examination of the fundus (back part) of the eye with an ophthalmoscope; also known as funduscopy.
optometrist	A specialist who holds a Doctor of Optometry degree and provides primary eye care, including diagnosing eye diseases and conditions and measuring the accuracy of vision to determine if corrective lenses are needed.
otitis media	Inflammation of the middle ear.
otomycosis	A fungal infection of the external auditory canal; also known as swimmer's ear.
otopyorrhea	The flow of pus from the ear.
otorrhea	Any discharge from the ear.
otosclerosis	Ankylosis of the bones of the middle ear, resulting in a conductive hearing loss.
papilledema	Swelling and inflammation of the optic nerve at the point of entrance into the eye through the optic disk; also known as choked disk.
periorbital edema	Swelling of the tissues surrounding the eye or eyes.
photophobia	Excessive sensitivity to light.
presbycusis	A gradual sensorineural hearing loss that occurs as the body ages.
presbyopia	Decline of near vision that occurs with age as the lens becomes less flexible and the muscles of the ciliary body become weaker.
ptosis	Drooping of the upper eyelid that is usually due to paralysis.
radial keratotomy (RK)	A surgical procedure to treat myopia.
retinopexy	Treatment to reattach the detached area in a retinal detachment.
scleritis	Inflammation of the sclera of the eye.
sensorineural hearing loss	Deafness that develops when the auditory nerve or hair cells in the inner ear are damaged.
stapedectomy	The surgical removal of part of the stapes bone and its replacement with a small prosthetic device.
strabismus	A disorder in which the eyes point in different directions or are not aligned correctly because the eye muscles are unable to focus.
tarsorrhaphy	The partial or complete suturing together of the upper and lower eyelids.
tinnitus	A ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound in one or both ears.
tonometry	The part of a routine eye examination in which intraocular pressure (IOP) is measured.
tympanometry	The use of air pressure in the ear canal to test for disorders of the middle ear.
vertigo	A sense of whirling, dizziness, and the loss of balance, often combined with nausea and vomiting.
vitrectomy	The removal of the vitreous fluid of the posterior chamber of the eye and its replacement with a clear solution.
xerophthalmia	Drying of the eye surfaces, including the conjunctiva; also known as dry eye.
OD	Right eye (oculus dexter)
OS	Left eye (oculus sinister)
OU	Each eye (oculus uterque) or both eyes
The Joint Commission	the largest American standards-setting and accrediting body in health care, recommends writing out these terms instead of using abbreviations.
adnexa of the eyes,	also known as adnexa oculi, are the structures outside the eyeball. These include the orbit, eye muscles, eyelids, eyelashes, conjunctiva, and lacrimal apparatus.
Adnexa	means the accessory or adjoining anatomical parts of an organ. The term adnexa is plural.
orbit	also known as the eye socket, is the bony cavity of the skull that contains and protects the eyeball and its associated muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.
eye muscles	Superior and inferior oblique muscles Superior and inferior rectus muscles Lateral and medial rectus muscles
Binocular vision	occurs when the muscles of both eyes work together in coordination to make normal depth perception possible.
canthus	is the angle where the upper and lower eyelids meet
cilia	small hairs, make up the eyebrows and eyelashes. Cilia are also present in the nose to prevent foreign matter from being inhaled.
tarsus	also known as the tarsal plate, is the framework within the upper and lower eyelids that provides the necessary stiffness and shape
conjunctiva	the transparent mucous membrane that lines the underside of each eyelid and continues to form a protective covering over the exposed surface of the eyeball.
lacrimal apparatus	also known as the tear apparatus, consists of the structures that produce, store, and remove tears. Lacrimation is the secretion of tears.
lacrimal glands	which secrete lacrimal fluid (tears), are located on the underside of the upper eyelid just above the outer corner of each eye
lacrimal fluid	commonly known as tears, is to maintain moisture on the anterior surface of the eyeball. Blinking distributes the lacrimal fluid across the eye.
lacrimal canal	consists of a duct at the inner corner of each eye. These ducts collect tears and empty them into the lacrimal sacs. Crying is the overflowing of tears from the lacrimal canals.
lacrimal sac	also known the tear sac, is an enlargement of the upper portion of the lacrimal duct.
lacrimal duct	also known as the nasolacrimal duct, is the passageway that drains excess tears into the nose.
eyeball	also known as the globe, is a 1-inch sphere with only about one-sixth of its surface visible
optic	means pertaining to the eye or sight
Ocular	means pertaining to the eye
Extraocular	means outside the eyeball
Intraocular	means within the eyeball
sclera	also known as the white of the eye, maintains the shape of the eye and protects the delicate inner layers of tissue. This tough, fibrous tissue forms the outer layer of the eye, except for the part covered by the cornea
choroid	also known as the choroid coat, is the opaque middle layer of the eyeball that contains many blood vessels and provides the blood supply for the entire eye. Opaque means that light cannot pass through this substance.
retina	is the sensitive innermost layer that lines the posterior segment of the eye. The retina receives nerve impulses and transmits them to the brain via the optic nerve. This is also known as the second cranial nerve
Aqueous humor	which is also known as aqueous fluid, fills both of these chambers. The term aqueous means watery or containing water. As used here, the term humor describes any clear body liquid or semifluid substance.
Intraocular pressure (IOP)	a measurement of the fluid pressure inside the eye. This pressure is regulated by the rate at which aqueous humor enters and leaves the eye.
posterior segment,	which makes up the remaining two-thirds of the eyeball, is lined with the retina and filled with vitreous humor
vitreous humor	Also known as vitreous gel, this is a soft, clear, jelly-like mass that contains millions of fine fibers. These fibers, which are attached to the surface of the retina, help the eye maintain its shape
rods and cones	the retina receive images that have passed through the lens of the eye. These images are converted into nerve impulses and transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve. Rods are the black and white receptors, and cones are the color receptors.
macula	also known as the macula lutea, is the clearly defined light-sensitive area in the center of the retina that is responsible for sharp central vision. Note that the term macula means a small spot.
fovea centralis	a pit in the middle of the macula. Color vision is best in this area because it contains a high concentration of cones and no rods.
optic disk	also known as the blind spot, is a small region in the eye where the nerve endings of the retina enter the optic nerve. This is called the blind spot, because it does not contain any rods or cones to convert images into nerve impulses.
optic nerve	transmits these nerve impulses from the retina to the brain.
uvea	the pigmented layer of the eye. It has a rich blood supply and consists of the choroid, ciliary body, and iris
ciliary body	which is located within the choroid, is a set of muscles and suspensory ligaments that adjust the thickness of the lens to refine the focus of light rays on the retina
iris	the colorful circular structure that surrounds the pupil (Figure 11.3). The muscles within the iris control the amount of light that is allowed to enter the eye through the pupil.
cornea	is the transparent outer surface of the eye covering the iris and pupil. It is the primary structure focusing light rays entering the eye
pupil	the black circular opening in the center of the iris that permits light to enter the eye.
lens	the clear, flexible, curved structure that focuses images on the retina. The lens is contained within a clear capsule located behind the iris and pupil.
Accommodation	is the process whereby the eyes make adjustments for seeing objects at various distances. These adjustments include contraction (narrowing) and dilation (widening) of the pupil, movement of the eyes, and changes in the shape of the lens.
Convergence	the simultaneous inward movement of the eyes toward each other. This occurs in an effort to maintain single binocular vision as an object comes nearer.
Emmetropia	the normal relationship between the refractive power of the eye and the shape of the eye that enables light rays to focus correctly on the retina
Refraction	also refractive power, is the ability of the lens to bend light rays so they focus on the retina.
Visual acuity (VA)	the ability to distinguish object details and shape at a distance. Acuity means sharpness
ophthalmologist	a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of diseases and disorders of the eyes, from vision correction to eye surgery
optometrist	holds a doctor of optometry degree and provides primary eye care, including diagnosing eye diseases and conditions and measuring the accuracy of vision to determine whether corrective lenses are needed
optician	is a health care practitioner who designs, fits, and dispenses lenses for vision correction.
Ptosis	the drooping of the upper eyelid that is usually due to paralysis ( ptosis means drooping or sagging). The term blepharoptosis has the same meaning.
chalazion	a nodule or cyst, usually on the upper eyelid, caused by obstruction in a sebaceous gland. The plural of chalazion is chalazia. A chalazion is a type of granuloma
hordeolum	also known as a stye, is a pus-filled and often painful lesion on the eyelid resulting from an acute infection in a sebaceous gland. Compare with a chalazion.
Blepharitis	swelling of the eyelid, often at the location of the eyelash hair follicles
Ectropion	he eversion of the edge of an eyelid. Eversion means turning outward. This usually affects the lower lid, thereby exposing the inner surface of the eyelid to irritation and preventing tears from draining properly
Entropion	the inversion of the edge of an eyelid. Inversion means turning inward. This usually affects the lower eyelid and causes the eyelashes to rub against the cornea. Entropion is the opposite of ectropion.
Periorbital edema	swelling of the tissues surrounding the eye or eyes. This can give the face a bloated appearance and cause the eyes to be partially covered by the swollen eyelids. This swelling is associated with conditions such as allergic reaction
Conjunctivitis	also known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva that is usually caused by an infection or allergy
Dacryoadenitis	an inflammation of the lacrimal gland caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Signs and symptoms of this condition include sudden severe pain, redness, and pressure in the orbit of the eye.
Subconjunctival hemorrhage	bleeding between the conjunctiva and the sclera. This condition, which is usually caused by an injury, creates a red area over the white of the eye.
Xerophthalmia	also known as dry eye , is drying of eye surfaces, including the conjunctiva, because the tear glands do not produce enough tears.
Uveitis	an inflammation of the uvea causing swelling and irritation ( uve means uvea, and -itis means inflammation). Complications from uveitis can potentially lead to permanent vision loss.
corneal abrasion	an injury, such as a scratch or irritation, to the outer layers of the cornea
corneal ulcer	a pitting of the cornea caused by an infection or injury. Although these ulcers heal with treatment, they can leave a cloudy scar that impairs vision. Compare with corneal abrasion.
Diabetic retinopathy	damage to the retina as a complication of uncontrolled diabetes. This is discussed in the section “Diabetic Complications” in Chapter 13. As diabetic retinopathy progresses, diabetic macular edema can occur.
Keratoconus	occurs when the cornea becomes irregular and cone-shaped, causing blurring and distortion of vision.
Floaters	also known as vitreous floaters, are particles of cellular debris that float in the vitreous humor and cast shadows on the retina. Floaters often occur normally but may be an indication of retinal detachment, especially when accompanied by photopsia.
Photopsia	the presence of what appears to be flashes of light, or flashers ( phot means light, and -opsia means view of). These are often caused by damage to the eye or migraine headaches.
Miosis	the contraction of the pupil, normally in response to exposure to light but also possibly due to the use of prescription or illegal drugs
Retinal detachment (RD)	also known as a detached retina, and retinal tears are the separation of some or all of the light-sensitive retina from the choroid. If not treated, the entire retina can detach, causing blindness.
Open-angle glaucoma	chronic glaucoma, is by far the most common form of this condition. The trabecular meshwork gradually becomes blocked, causing a buildup of pressure. Symptoms of this condition are not noticed by the patient until the optic nerve has been damaged
closed-angle glaucoma,	acute glaucoma, the opening between the cornea and iris narrows so that fluid cannot reach the trabecular meshwork.
Macular degeneration (MD)	(MD) is a gradually progressive condition in which the macula at the center of the retina is damaged, resulting in the loss of central vision but not in total blindness
Monochromatism	also known as color blindness, is the inability to distinguish certain colors in a normal manner
Scotoma	also known as blind spot, is an abnormal area of diminished vision surrounded by an area of normal vision.
Snellen chart (SC)	used to measure visual acuity (Figure 11.11). The results for each eye are recorded as a fraction with 20/20 being considered normal.
refraction test	done to determine an eye’s refractive error so that the best corrective lenses can be prescribed. This term also refers to the ability of the lens to bend light rays so they focus on the retina.
diopter	the unit of measurement of a lens’s refractive power.
cover test	an examination of how the two eyes work together and is used to assess binocular vision. One eye at a time is covered while the patient focuses on an object across the room.
Visual field testing	also known as perimetry, is performed to determine losses in peripheral vision. Peripheral means occurring away from the center. Blank sections in the visual field can be symptomatic of glaucoma or an optic nerve disorder.
Dilation	required in preparation for the ophthalmoscopic examination of the interior of the eye. Artificial enlargement of the pupils is achieved through the use of mydriatic drops.
Mydriatic drops	placed into the eyes to produce temporary paralysis, forcing the pupils to remain dilated even in the presence of bright light.
Slit-lamp ophthalmoscopy	a diagnostic procedure in which a narrow beam of light is focused onto parts of the eye to permit the ophthalmologist to examine the structures at the front of the eye, including the cornea, iris, and lens
Fluorescein staining	the application of fluorescent dye to the surface of the eye via eye drops or a strip applicator. This dye causes a corneal abrasion to temporarily appear bright green.
Fluorescein angiography	a photographic study of the blood vessels in the back of the eye following the intravenous injection of a fluorescein dye as a contrast medium. The resulting angiograms are used to determine whether there is proper circulation in the retinal vessels.
PERRLA	an acronym meaning Pupils are Equal, Round, Responsive to Light and Accommodation. This is a diagnostic observation, and any abnormality here could indicate a head injury or damage to the brain.
orbitotomy	a surgical incision into the orbit. This procedure is performed for biopsy, abscess drainage, or removal of a tumor or foreign object.
Tarsorrhaphy	the partial or complete suturing together of the upper and lower eyelids to protect the eye when the lids are paralyzed and unable to close normally
corneal transplant	also known as keratoplasty , is the surgical replacement of a scarred or diseased cornea with clear corneal tissue from a donor.
Enucleation	the removal of the eyeball, leaving the eye muscles intact
ocular prosthesis	also known as an artificial eye, may be fitted to wear over a malformed eye or to replace an eyeball that is either congenitally missing or has been surgically removed. A prosthesis is an artificial substitute for a diseased or missing body part.
iridectomy	the surgical removal of a portion of the tissue of the iris
scleral buckle	a silicone band or sponge used to repair a detached retina. The detached layers are brought closer together by attaching this band onto the sclera, or outer wall, of the eyeball, creating an indentation or buckle effect inside the eye.
Lensectomy	the general term used to describe the surgical removal of a cataract-clouded lens
Phacoemulsification	the use of ultrasonic vibration to shatter and remove the lens clouded by a cataract. This is performed through a very small opening, and the same opening is used to slide the intraocular lens into place.
intraocular lens (IOL)	a surgically implanted replacement for a natural lens that has been removed
laser iridotomy	uses a focused beam of light to create a hole in the iris of the eye . This procedure is performed to treat closed-angle glaucoma by creating an opening that allows the aqueous humor to flow between the anterior and posterior chambers
laser trabeculoplasty	used to treat open-angle glaucoma by creating openings in the trabecular meshwork to allow the fluid to drain properly.
LASIK	Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. LASIK is used to treat vision conditions, such as myopia, that are caused by the shape of the cornea.
Photocoagulation	the use of a laser to treat some forms of wet macular degeneration by sealing leaking or damaged blood vessels. This technique is also used to repair small retinal tears by intentionally forming scar tissue to seal the holes.
Retinopexy	used to reattach the detached area in a retinal detachment
AD	Right ear (auris dexter)
AS	Left ear (auris sinister)
AU	Each ear (auris uterque) or both ears (auris unitas)
auditory	pertaining to the sense of hearing
acoustic	pertaining to sound or hearing
pinna	also known as the auricle or the outer ear, is the external portion of the ear. The pinna captures sound waves and transmits them into the external auditory canal.
external auditory canal	transmits these sound waves to the tympanic membrane (eardrum) of the middle ear.
Cerumen	also known as earwax, is secreted by ceruminous glands that line the auditory canal. This sticky yellow-brown substance has protective functions because it traps small insects, dust, debris, and some bacteria to prevent them from entering the middle ear.
middle ear	s located between the outer ear and the inner ear, transmits sound across the space between these two parts
tympanic membrane	also known as the eardrum, is located between the outer and middle ear
mastoid process	the temporal bone containing hollow air space that surrounds the middle ear. As used here, a process is a projection on a structure such as a bone.
auditory ossicles	three small bones located within the middle ear (Figure 11.12). The role of these bones is to transmit the sound waves from the eardrum to the inner ear by vibration. These bones are named for the Latin terms that describe their shapes.
Malleus	the hammer
Incus	the anvil
Stapes	the stirrup
eustachian tubes	also known as the auditory tubesare narrow tubes that lead from the middle ear to the nasal cavity and the throat. The purpose of these tubes is to equalize the air pressure within the middle ear with that of the outside atmosphere.
inner ear	contains the sensory receptors for hearing and balance. The structures of the inner ear are a maze-like system known as the labyrinth
oval window	is located under the base of the stapes, is the membrane that separates the middle ear from the inner ear. Vibrations enter the inner ear through this structure.
cochlea	the snail-shaped structure of the inner ear and is where sound vibrations are converted into nerve impulses. Located within the cochlea are the cochlear duct, the organ of Corti, the semicircular canals, and the acoustic nerves
organ of Corti	receives the vibrations from the cochlear duct and relays them to the auditory nerve fibers. These fibers transmit the sound impulses to the auditory center of the brain’s cerebral cortex, where they are heard and interpreted.
semicircular canals	connected to the cochlea by the vestibule, contain the liquid endolymph and sensitive hair cells. The bending of these hair cells in response to the movements of the head sets up impulses in nerve fibers to help maintain equilibrium
acoustic nerves	also called auditory nerves, transmit this information to the brain. The acoustic nerves are made up of two parts: cochlear nerves that transmit sound for hearing, and vestibular nerves that sense balance and head position.
Air conduction (AC)	the process by which sound waves enter the ear through the pinna and then travel down the external auditory canal until they strike the tympanic membrane, which is located between the outer ear and middle ear
Bone conduction	occurs as the eardrum vibrates and causes the auditory ossicles of the middle ear to vibrate. The vibration of these bones transmits the sound waves through the middle ear to the oval window of the inner ear.
Sensorineural conduction	occurs when these sound vibrations reach the inner ear. The structures of the inner ear receive the sound waves and relay them to the auditory nerve for transmission to the brain.
audiologist	specializes in the measurement of hearing function and in the rehabilitation of persons with hearing impairments
speech-language pathologist (SLP)	can be involved in numerous medical areas including audiology. These practitioners help patients who have problems related to swallowing, speech, and communication disorders.
Impacted cerumen	an accumulation of earwax that forms a solid mass by adhering to the walls of the external auditory canal. Impacted means lodged or wedged firmly in place.
Otalgia	also known as an earache, is pain in the ear
Otitis	any inflammation of the ear
Otorrhagia	bleeding from the ear
Barotrauma	a pressure-related ear condition
cholesteatoma	also known as a pearly tumor, is a destructive epidermal cyst in the middle ear and/or the mastoid process made up of epithelial cells and cholesterol
Mastoiditis	an inflammation of any part of the mastoid bone. This condition may develop when acute otitis media that cannot be controlled with antibiotics spreads to the mastoid process.
Infectious myringitis	a contagious inflammation that causes painful blisters on the eardrum ). This condition is associated with a middle ear infection. It is not to be confused with infectious meningitis, which is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
Labyrinthitis	an inflammation of the labyrinth that can result in vertigo and deafness
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)	a common cause of vertigo that occurs when there is a shift in the location of small crystals in the semicircular canals. BPPV, labyrinthitis, and Ménière’s disease are examples of vestibular disorders
Meniere's disease	a rare chronic disorder in which the amount of fluid in the inner ear increases intermittently, producing attacks of vertigo, a fluctuating hearing loss (usually in one ear), and tinnitus.
acoustic neuroma	a brain tumor that develops adjacent to the cranial nerve running from the brain to the inner ear
Deafness	the complete or partial loss of the ability to hear. It can range from the inability to hear sounds of a certain pitch or intensity, to a complete loss of hearing.
Conductive hearing loss	occurs when sound waves are prevented from passing from the air to the fluid-filled inner ear. Causes of this hearing loss include a buildup of earwax, infection, fluid in the middle ear, a punctured eardrum, otosclerosis, and scarring
Sensorineural hearing loss	also known as nerve deafness, develops when the auditory nerve or hair cells in the inner ear are damaged
noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)	a type of nerve deafness caused by repeated exposure to extremely loud noises such as a gunshot or to moderately loud noises that continue for long periods of time.
decibel (dB)	is commonly used as the measurement of the loudness of sound.
audiological evaluation	also known as speech audiometry, is the measurement of the ability to hear and understand speech sounds based on their pitch and loudness.
Audiometry	the use of an audiometer to measure hearing acuity
otoscope	an instrument used to examine the external ear canal
Monaural testing	involves one ear
Binaural testing	involves both ears
Tympanometry	the use of air pressure in the ear canal to test for disorders of the middle ear
Acoustic reflectometry	measures how much sound is reflected back from the eardrum, a way to test how much fluid is in the middle ear to diagnose otitis media.
Weber and Rinne test	use a tuning fork to distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing losses. The patient’s perception of the tuning fork’s vibrations helps evaluate his or her hearing ability by air conduction compared to that of bone conduction.
Otoplasty	the surgical repair, restoration, or alteration of the pinna of the ear
Ear tubes	formally known as tympanostomy tubes, are tiny ventilating tubes placed through the eardrum to provide ongoing drainage for fluids and to relieve pressure that can build up after childhood ear infections
Tympanoplasty	the surgical correction of a damaged middle ear, either to cure chronic inflammation or to restore function
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT)	a form of physical therapy designed to treat a wide variety of balance disorders, the majority of which are caused by problems in the inner ear and vestibular nerve
assistive listening device (ALD)	transmits, processes, or amplifies sound and can be used with or without a hearing aid. An ALD can be helpful in eliminating distracting background noise.
cochlear implant	n electronic device that bypasses the damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve
Fenestration	a surgical procedure in which a new opening is created in the labyrinth to restore lost hearing
Hearing aids	electronic devices that are worn to correct a hearing loss. Sometimes a sensorineural hearing loss can be corrected with a hearing aid.
Slit-lamp examination	SLE
Visual Field	VF

Created by: user-2025477

"Know" box contains:
Time elapsed:
Retries: