Sensory System

Audiology

The study of hearing, balance, and vestibular disorders. They evaluate, diagnose, and treat hearing loss and related conditions.

Aural

The term used for things relating to the ear or hearing.

Blepharoplasty

A surgical procedure to repair defects or deformities of the eyelids.

Conjunctivitis

An inflammation of the conjunctiva, often caused by infection or allergies. It results in redness, irritation, and discharge from the eye. It’s better known as “pink eye”.

Iridectomy

A surgical procedure to remove part of the iris, often to treat conditions like glaucoma or to improve vision.

Lacrimal Glands

The glands that produce tears to lubricate the eye.

Myringotomy

A surgical procedure that involves making an incision in the eardrum to relieve pressure or drain fluid from the middle ear, often used to treat ear infections.

Nasal

The term used for things relating to the nose.

Ophthalmology

The study of eyes and vision that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.

Myopia

A common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly, often caused by an elongated eyeball shape. It’s better known as nearsightedness.

Optic

The term used for things relating to the eyes or vision.

Otology

The study of the ear and its diseases, focusing on hearing and balance disorders.

Aphasia

A language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate. It can impact speaking, understanding, reading, and writing, often resulting from brain injury or stroke.

Presbyopia

A common age-related condition of farsightedness where the eye's lens loses flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close objects.

Retinitis

A disease that involves inflammation of the retina, leading to vision impairment or blindness.

Rhinnitis

A type of inflammation affecting the mucous membrane of the nose, often resulting in symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing.

Rhinorrhea

The medical term for a runny nose, characterized by excessive mucus production from the nasal mucosa.

Scleroderma

An autoimmune disease characterized by the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues, affecting various organs.

Tympanoplasty

A surgical procedure to repair a perforated eardrum or to reconstruct the middle ear, restoring hearing and preventing infections.

Aqueous Humor

The clear fluid of the eye that fills the anterior chamber within the cornea.

Cerumen (Earwax)

A waxy substance produced in the ear canal that helps to protect and clean the ears.

Cilia

The tiny hair-like structures found in the ear, nose, and other sensory organs that help to detect sound vibrations and facilitate mucous movement.

Cones

Photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for color vision and visual acuity.

Rods

Photoreceptor cells in the retina that are sensitive to low light levels, enabling night vision and peripheral vision.

Constriction

The term used for narrowing of pupils in response to stimuli.

Dilation

The term used for the widening of pupils, often in response to low light or emotional stimuli.

Equilibrium

The state of balance within the body's systems, primarily maintained by the inner ear's vestibular system, allowing awareness of body position and movement.

Eustachian Tube

A canal that connects the middle and inner ear to the nasopharynx, helping to equalize air pressure in the ear and drain fluid.

Glossitis

Inflammation of the tongue, often causing swelling and changes in color or texture.

Incus (Anvil)

A small bone in the middle ear that transmits sound vibrations from the malleus to the stapes, contributing to the process of hearing.

Malleus (Hammer)

A small bone in the middle ear that receives vibrations from the tympanic membrane and transmits them to the incus, playing a crucial role in hearing.

Stapes (Stirrup)

The smallest bone in the human body, located in the middle ear, that transmits sound vibrations from the incus to the inner ear, playing a crucial role in the hearing process.

Ishihara Test

A color vision test that uses colored plates with numbers or patterns to assess an individual's ability to distinguish colors. It is commonly used to diagnose color blindness.

Nasal Septum

The cartilage and bone structure that separates the two nostrils, playing a key role in regulating airflow and supporting the nasal cavity.

Ophthalmoscope

An instrument used by eye care professionals to examine the interior structures of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve. It helps in diagnosing various eye conditions.

Orbital Cavity (Orbit or Eye Socket)

The bony structure surrounding the eye, providing protection and support. It contains the eye itself along with muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

Ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear that transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear, essential for hearing.

Otoscope

An instrument used by healthcare professionals to examine the ear canal and eardrum, aiding in diagnosing ear conditions.

Papillae

The small, nipple-like projections on the tongue that contain taste buds, playing a key role in the sense of taste.

Pinna (Auricle)

The external part of the ear that collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal, playing a crucial role in hearing.

Snellen Chart

A device used to measure visual acuity, consisting of rows of letters that decrease in size, helping to assess a person's eyesight.

Stapedectomy

A surgical procedure to remove the stapes bone in the middle ear, often to improve hearing in cases of otosclerosis.

Otosclerosis

A condition characterized by abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, which leads to hearing loss by interfering with sound transmission.

Vertigo

A sensation of spinning or dizziness, often related to inner ear issues or balance disorders.

Vitreous Humor

The clear jelly-like fluid that maintains eye shape and refracts light rays. It fills the posterior chamber of the eye.

Sclera

The white outer coating of the eyeball, providing structure and protection. It is continuous with the cornea at the front of the eye.

Choroid

The vascular layer of the eye between the retina and the sclera, supplying nutrients and oxygen to the outer layers of the retina.

Retina

The light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye that converts light into neural signals, which are sent to the brain for visual recognition.

Cornea

The transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber, helping to focus light onto the retina.

Lens

A transparent, crystalline structure in the front of the eye that focuses light onto the retina, adjusting its shape to help with near and distant vision.

Pupil

The opening in the center of the iris that regulates the amount of light entering the eye, adjusting in size in response to light conditions.

Iris

The colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil, which controls the size of the pupil and the amount of light that enters the eye.

Fovea Centralis

The small pit in the retina responsible for sharp central vision. It contains a high density of cone cells, allowing for detailed and color vision.

Optic Disc

The point on the retina where the optic nerve exits the eye, creating a blind spot due to the absence of photoreceptors.

Ciliary Muscle

A circular muscle located around the lens that controls its shape, allowing for accommodation and focus on near or distant objects.

Cataract

A clouding of the lens in the eye that leads to a decrease in vision. It is commonly age-related but can also be caused by other factors such as diabetes, trauma, or prolonged exposure to UV light.

Color Blindness

A visual impairment where individuals cannot distinguish certain colors, typically red and green due to deficiencies in color-detecting cones.

Detached Retina

A condition where the retina separates from its underlying supportive tissue, causing vision loss. It can result from injury, inflammation, or other diseases.

Diabetic Retinopathy

A diabetes-related eye disease that damages the blood vessels of the retina, potentially leading to vision loss or blindness.

Glaucoma

A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often associated with increased intraocular pressure, leading to vision loss, usually peripheral vision.

Macular Degeneration

A progressive eye disease that deteriorates the macula, leading to loss of central vision. It is commonly associated with aging and can significantly impact daily activities.

Hyperopia

A common vision condition where distant objects can be seen clearly, while close ones may be blurry due to a shorter eyeball or flat cornea. It is better known as farsightedness.

Astigmatism

A common refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, leading to blurred or distorted vision at all distances.

Nasal Polyps

Soft, painless growths that develop on the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses. They result from chronic inflammation and can lead to nasal congestion and difficulty breathing.

Semicircular Canals

Three fluid-filled structures in the inner ear that help maintain balance and spatial orientation by detecting rotational movements of the head.

Cochlea

A spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into electrical signals, allowing for the sense of hearing.

Round Window

An elastic membrane-covered opening in the cochlea that allows for the displacement of fluid within the inner ear, aiding in the transmission of sound waves.

External Otitis

An inflammation of the outer ear canal, often caused by infection or irritation. Symptoms include itching, redness, and swelling, sometimes accompanied by discharge.

Otitis Media

An infection or inflammation of the middle ear, often associated with fluid buildup and causing ear pain and hearing loss. It is common in children.

Meniere’s Disease

A disorder of the inner ear characterized by episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. It is caused by abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear.

Tinnitus

A condition characterized by the perception of noise or ringing in the ears without an external sound source. It can result from various underlying issues including hearing loss or ear injury.

Presbycusis

Age-related hearing loss that affects the ability to hear high frequencies. It is due to changes in the inner ear or auditory nerve.

Conductive Hearing Loss

A type of hearing loss caused by problems in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound from being conducted to the inner ear. Common causes include ear infections, fluid buildup, or problems with the ear canal or eardrum. It is usually treatable.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

A type of hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, often resulting in a reduced ability to hear faint sounds. It can be due to aging, exposure to loud noises, or illnesses. It is usually not easily treated.

Nasal Cavity

The large air-filled space behind the nose, which is involved in the process of breathing, filtering, and humidifying the air before it enters the lungs.

Sinuses

Hollow, air-filled cavities in the skull that are connected to the nasal cavity. They help to lighten the skull, produce mucus, and enhance voice resonance.

Olfactory Bulb

A structure located at the base of the brain that processes information about smells. It receives signals from the olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity and is crucial for the sense of smell.

Deviated Nasal Septum

A condition where the nasal septum is significantly off-center, causing difficulty in breathing and affecting airflow in the nasal passages.

Strawberry Tongue

A symptom characterized by a bright red, swollen tongue often associated with certain infections or conditions, such as scarlet fever or vitamin deficiencies.

Thrush

A fungal infection in the mouth caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast, leading to white patches and soreness.

Otomycosis

A fungal infection of the outer ear canal, often caused by various fungi, leading to symptoms such as itching, discomfort, and discharge.

Olfactory Nerve (I)

The first cranial nerve responsible for the sense of smell, transmitting sensory information from the nasal cavity to the brain.

Optic Nerve (II)

The second cranial nerve responsible for vision, transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain.

Oculomotor Nerve (III)

The third cranial nerve that controls most of the eye's movements, along with constriction of the pupil and maintaining an open eyelid.

Trochlear Nerve (IV)

The fourth cranial nerve that innervates the superior oblique muscle of the eye, allowing for rotational movement.

Trigeminal Nerve (V)

The fifth cranial nerve responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing. It has three major branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular.

Abducens Nerve (VI)

The sixth cranial nerve that controls the lateral rectus muscle of the eye, enabling outward gaze.

Facial Nerve (VII)

The seventh cranial nerve responsible for facial expressions, taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, and secretions from salivary and lacrimal glands.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)

The eighth cranial nerve responsible for transmitting sound and equilibrium information from the inner ear to the brain.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)

The ninth cranial nerve that plays a key role in taste sensations from the posterior one-third of the tongue, and is involved in swallowing and monitoring carotid body and sinus blood pressure.

Vagus Nerve (X)

The tenth cranial nerve that controls functions in the heart, lungs, and digestive tract, and conveys sensory information from the ear, pharynx, and larynx.

Accessory Nerve (XI)

The eleventh cranial nerve that controls neck and shoulder muscles, particularly the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.

Hypoglossal Nerve (XII)

The twelfth cranial nerve that primarily controls the movements of the tongue, crucial for speech and swallowing.