Special Senses: Eyes and Ears Medical Vocabulary and Specialties

Vocabulary flashcards covering medical terminology, surgical procedures, disorders, and clinical specialties associated with the eyes and ears (Chapter 13: Special Senses).

Cataract

An opacity or progressive clouding of the lens of the eye that causes decreased vision, usually occurring as a result of aging, trauma, metabolic disease, or adverse effects of certain medications or chemicals; treated with cataract surgery (phacoemulsification).

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva that can be caused by bacteria, allergy, irritation, or a foreign body; also called pinkeye.

Diabetic retinopathy

Retinal damage in patients with diabetes marked by aneurysmal dilation and bleeding of blood vessels or the formation of new blood vessels causing visual changes.

Hordeolum

A small, purulent, inflammatory infection of a sebaceous gland of the eyelid; also called sty.

Macular degeneration

Deterioration of the macula, resulting in loss of central vision; the most common cause of visual impairment in persons older than age 50.

Photophobia

Unusual intolerance and sensitivity to light that occurs in some disorders, such as meningitis, eye inflammation, measles, and rubella.

Cochlear implant

An electronic transmitter surgically implanted into the cochlea of a deaf person to restore hearing.

Ear irrigation

The process of flushing the external ear canal with sterile water or sterile saline solution to treat blockages of a foreign body or cerumen (ear wax) impaction.

Myringoplasty

Surgical repair of a perforated eardrum with a tissue graft to correct hearing loss; also called tympanoplasty.

Myringotomy

Incision of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to relieve pressure and drain fluid from the middle ear or to insert tympanostomy tubes in the eardrum via surgery.

Cornea transplantation

A procedure in which a damaged cornea is replaced by the cornea from the eye of a human cadaver; also known as keratoplasty.

Glaucoma

An eye disease in which increased eyeball pressure causes gradual loss of sight.

Ocular

Pertaining to the eye or the sense of sight.

Radial keratotomy

Surgery to correct myopia, or nearsightedness, by changing the shape of the cornea (the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil).

Sleep apnea

A condition in which breathing stops for more than 10 seconds during sleep.

Ophthalmology

The medical specialty and branch of medicine concerned with the eyes (the organs of sight) and the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.

Ophthalmologist

A medical specialist in ophthalmology who diagnoses and treats eye disorders, prescribes corrective lenses, and performs corrective eye surgeries.

Optometrist

A health care practitioner who is not a medical doctor, but is licensed to examine and test the eyes and treat visual defects by prescribing corrective lenses.

Optician

A health care practitioner who is not a medical doctor and specializes in providing and filling prescriptions for corrective lenses.

Otolaryngology

The oldest medical specialty in the United States, concerned with the ears (organs of hearing) and the medical and surgical management of patients with disorders of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and related structures of the head and neck region.

Otolaryngologist (ENT physician)

A specialist in otolaryngology who manages disorders of the ear, nose, and throat and related structures, including sinuses, allergies, sense of smell, hoarseness, breathing difficulty, and sleep disorders.