Week 3 Medical Terminology (EENT)

hyperopia

farsightedness

presbyopia

progressive loss of accommodation and the ability to focus on nearby objects due to the gradual loss of lens elasticity; associated with normal aging

myopia

nearsightedness

hyphema

pooling of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye

cataract

opacification of the lens

subconjunctival hemorrhage

benign, bright red patch representing a small bleed underneath the conjunctiva

episcleritis

painful inflammation of the sclera, which does not blanch with phenylephrine

corneal ulcer

often painful, infection of the cornea with epithelial defect

diplopia

double vision

lagophthalmos

inability to close the eyes completely leading to ocular exposure

chemosis

swelling of the conjuncitva

miosis

small, constricted pupillary diameter

mydriasis

large, dilated pupillary diameter

anisocoria

difference of >0.4 mm in the diameter of one pupil in comparison to the other; seen in healthy individuals

but could also be an important indication of CN III palsy or Horner syndrome

strabismus

condition in which the eyes are not aligned and can move independently

exophthalmos

axial bulging of the eye anteriorly out of the orbit

afferent pupillary defect

medical sign observed during the swinging flashlight test in which the affected pupil constricts less and therefore appears to dilate when the bright light stimulus moves from the unaffected to the affected eye

also known as Marcus Gunn pupil

trichiasis

aberrant growth of eyelashes in which the hair turns inward toward the eye

exostosis

benign bony overgrowth of the osseous external auditory canal, often circumferential, secondary to cold wind or water

also known as “surfer’s ear”

otitis externa

inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal that may involve the auricle

exam reveals tragal tenderness and pain with movement of the pinna

the ear canal appears edematous, tender, and often with erythema and associated discharge or debris

otitis media

inflammation of the middle ear, with evidence of an erythematous and bulging tympanic membrane, and possibly a purulent effusion visualized behind the tympanic membrane

tympanosclerosis

deposition of hyaline material within the layers of the tympanic membrane that may be associated with ear infections; appears as a chalky white patch with irregular borders on the otherwise translucent tympanic membrane

nystagmus

involuntary, rapidly repetitive eye movements that may be horizontal, vertical, or rotary; may be physio-logic or associated with either a peripheral or central cause of vertigo

bullous myringitis

sequela of otitis media that presents with painful hemorrhage vesicles on the tympanic membrane and may involve the ear canal

serous effusion

serous amber fluid behind the tympanic membrane, often secondary to viral upper respiratory infections or sudden changes in atmospheric pressure

an air-fluid level or air bubbles may be seen

weber test

hearing test utilizing a tuning fork (typically 512 Hz) used to evaluate primarily unilateral hearing loss.

The tuning fork is placed midline on the forehead. Normally the sound is heard equally on both sides

A patient with conductive hearing loss will hear the sound louder on the affected side.

A patient with sensorineural hearing loss will hear the sound louder on the unaffected side.

rinne test

hearing test utilizing a tuning fork (typically 512 Hz) used to evaluate primarily unilateral hearing loss.

Compares air (AC) and bone conduction (BC) in each ear.

In a normal ear or one with sensorineural hearing loss, AC = BC.

In conductive hearing loss, BC > AC.

oral candidiasis

thick white coating in the mouth from Candida infection; lesions can be scrapped off, in contrast to leukoplakia

also known as “thrush”

aphthous ulcer

painful, shallow whitish gray oval ulceration surrounded by a halo of reddened mucosa in the oral cavity

also known as “canker sore”

gingivitis

inflammation of the gingiva that presents with erythema and edema of the gums with swollen interdental papillae

erythroplakia

area of erythema or redness of the mucus membrane

lesions should be biopsied as they are associated with an increased risk of malignancy

leukoplakia

painless white patch on a mucous membrane that does not easily scrape off

lesions should be biopsied as they are associated with an increased risk of malignancy

virchow node

enlargement of a supraclavicular node, especially on the left, suggesting a possible metastasis from a thoracic or an abdominal malignancy

shotty lymph node

small, mobile, discrete, nontender nodes found normally

pemberton sign

flushing during neck hyperextension and arm elevation from compression of the thoracic inlet from the thyroid gland itself or from the clavicular movement