med term slides

Pupil

The central opening of the eye where light enters.

Concussion

A brain injury that results from the brain smacking against the skull, often indicated by symptoms such as bigger-than-normal pupils.

Conjunctiva

The membrane lining the inner surface of the eyelids and covering over the eyeball.

Cornea

The transparent fibrous tissue that extends over the dome of the pupil and iris; it refracts light to the back of the eye.

Sclera

The thick white layer of dense connective tissue that encloses the eye and maintains its shape.

Choroid

The dark brown membrane inside the sclera, containing blood vessels that supply nutrients to the eye.

Ciliary Body

The structure that surrounds the lens; its muscles control lens shape and produce aqueous humor.

Iris

The colored portion of the eye that regulates light entering through the pupil.

Lens

A transparent biconvex structure that bends light rays to focus on the retina.

Retina

The thin, delicate layer of the eye containing photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) that convert light energy into nerve impulses.

Optic Nerve

The nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.

Macula

The yellowish region on the retina containing the fovea centralis, the area of sharpest vision.

Cochlea

The part of the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into neural signals to the brain.

Astigmatism

A defect in the curvature of the cornea or lens causing distorted images.

Cataract

The clouding of the lens that leads to blurred vision.

Nystagmus

Repetitive eye movements that may indicate neurological issues when occurring in older individuals.

Strabismus

Abnormal deviation of the eyes where they do not align in the same direction.

Vertigo

A sensation of whirling motion associated with balance disorders.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Damage to the retina caused by diabetes, leading to vision loss.

Meniere's Disease

A disorder of the inner ear characterized by increased pressure and symptoms such as tinnitus, headache, and dizziness.

Aqueous Humor

The fluid produced by the ciliary body, maintaining intraocular pressure and nourishing the eye.

Vitreous Humor

A gel-like substance behind the lens that helps maintain the shape of the eyeball.

Optic Disk

The area at the back of the eye where the optic nerve enters; it lacks photoreceptors and is known as the blind spot.

Fovea Centralis

The central depression in the macula responsible for sharp central vision and is densely packed with cones.

Hemianopsia

Loss of vision in half of the visual field, often caused by damage to the visual pathways.

Fluorescein Angiography

A diagnostic procedure using a dye to visualize blood flow in the retina through photography.

Enucleation

The surgical removal of the entire eyeball, usually performed due to tumors or severe injury.

Keratoplasty

Surgical repair or replacement of the cornea, often using donor tissue.

Presbyopia

The gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects, commonly occurring with aging.

Otosclerosis

A condition characterized by the hardening of the bony tissue in the middle ear, affecting hearing.

Auditory Nerve Fibers

Nerve fibers that transmit auditory information from the cochlea to the brain for interpretation.

Ophthalmoscope

An instrument used to examine the interior structures of the eye, including the retina and optic disk.

Audiometer

A device used to measure a person's hearing ability at various frequencies.

Cerumen

A waxy substance produced in the ear canal that helps protect and lubricate the ear.

Acoustic Neuroma

A benign tumor on the vestibulocochlear nerve that may cause hearing loss and balance issues.

Visual Pathway

The route taken by visual information from the retina via the optic nerve to the visual cortex in the brain.

Macular Degeneration

A progressive eye disease that destroys sharp central vision, often due to aging.

Retinal Detachment

A condition where the retina pulls away from its normal position, potentially leading to vision loss.

Eustachian Tube

A canal that connects the middle ear to the pharynx, helping to equalize pressure in the ear.

Tympanic Membrane

Also known as the eardrum, it vibrates in response to sound waves and separates the outer ear from the middle ear.

Rinne Test

A hearing test that compares bone conduction to air conduction using a tuning fork.

Weber Test

A test to assess hearing lateralization by placing a tuning fork on the midline of the forehead.

Spasticity

Increased muscle tone often affecting balance and coordination, associated with inner ear disorders.

Myopia

Nearsightedness; a condition where distant objects appear blurred due to light focusing in front of the retina.

Hyperopia

Farsightedness; a condition where nearby objects appear blurred as light focuses behind the retina.

Chalazion

A small, non-painful lump on the eyelid caused by the blockage of a sebaceous gland.

Hordeolum (Stye)

An inflamed oil gland on the eyelid, often painful and filled with pus due to infection.

Tonometry

A test that measures the pressure inside the eye, important for diagnosing glaucoma.

Bilateral Hearing Loss

Loss of hearing in both ears, which can significantly impact communication and quality of life.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Permanent hearing loss resulting from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, often caused by noise exposure or aging.