Chapter 17: Sense Organs - The Eye and the Ear vocab and abbreviation

These flashcards cover key medical terminology related to the senses of hearing and vision, as well as some important abbreviations used in medical settings.

IOP

Intraocular Pressure, a measurement of fluid pressure inside the eye.

PERRLA

Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation, a test for assessing eye function.

HEENT

Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat; a common abbreviation for a medical examination.

auditory canal

The passage leading from the outside of the ear to the eardrum.

auditory meatus

The external part of the ear canal.

auditory nerve fibers

Nerve fibers that transmit sound information from the ear to the brain.

auditory tube (eustachian tube)

A tube that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, helping to equalize pressure.

auricle (pinna)

The visible part of the ear that collects sound.

cerumen

Earwax, a protective substance produced in the ear canal.

cochlea

A spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that is essential for hearing.

incus

The anvil-shaped bone in the middle ear that transmits sound vibrations.

labyrinth

A complex structure in the inner ear involved in hearing and balance.

malleus

The hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear that connects to the eardrum.

ossicle

Small bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes) that help transmit sound.

semicircular canals

Three fluid-filled structures in the inner ear that help maintain balance.

stapes

The stirrup-shaped bone in the middle ear that helps transmit sound to the inner ear.

tympanic membrane

The eardrum; a thin membrane that vibrates in response to sound.

vestibule

The central part of the inner ear that helps with balance and spatial orientation.