Intro chapter 12 pages 385-403

Parts of the outer ear

pinna and external auditory canal

Cerumen

a substance produced by glands in the ear canal that provides lubrication and protects the ear from the invasion of insects and other foreign objects. also commonly known as ear was.

Localization

the process of determining where sounds originates in space

Parts of the middle ear

tympanic membrane, ossicles chain (malleus, incus, stapes), footplate (base of stapes bone), oval window, eustachian tube,

parts of the inner ear

semicircular canals, vestibule, cochlea (organ of corti, basilar membrane, tectorial membrane, sterocilia)

conductive system

parts of the auditory system made up of the outer and middle ear

conductive hearing loss

a loss of auditory sensitivity due to malformation or obstruction of the outer ear and/or middle ear.

microtia

a congenital disorder that results in a small malformed pinna or ear canal

atresia

a congenital disorder resulting in complete closure of the external auditory meatus

most common etiology for conductive hearing loss

impacted was (cerumen) or foreign objects (cotton swabs or blow to the head)

otosclerosis

a disorder characterized by the formation of spongy bone in the region of the stapes footplate, resulting in a progressive conductive hearing loss.

otitis media

inflammation of the middle ear. children younger than 15

eustachian tube dysfunction

condition in which the eustachian tube does not adequately equalize middle ear pressure

myringotomy

a small surgical incision made in the surface of the tympanic membrane

pressure equalization tubes

a small-diameter tube that is surgically places in the ear drum to provide ventilation of the middle ear space vis the external auditory meatus.