Medical Terminology Ch 16 Otolaryngology Ears, Nose, and Throat

ot/o-

ear

laryng/o-

larynx; voice box

-logy

study of

Otolaryngology

medical specialty that studies the anatomy and physiology of the ears, nose, and throat (ENT) and treats diseases of these structures

auricle

the visible external ear; also known as the pinna

pinna

the visible external ear; also known as the auricle

mastoid process

a projection of the temporal bone lying just in front of the external ear

helix

the outer rim of tissue and cartilage on the auricle

tragus

the triangular piece of cartilage anterior to the opening of the ear

external auditory meatus

the opening of the ear that leads into the external auditory canal

external auditory canal (EAC)

canal extending from the external ear to the tympanic membrane

cerumen

a waxy substance in the external auditory canal that traps dirt and kills microorganisms

tympanic membrane

commonly called the eardrum; acts as a dividing wall between the external ear and the middle ear

light reflex

a shiny strip of reflected light from an otoscope seen on a normal tympanic membrane during an ear examination

middle ear

a small, hollow area within the temporal bone of the cranium containing three tiny bones

ossicles

the collective name for the three tiny bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes)

malleus

the hammer-shaped ossicle connected to the tympanic membrane

incus

the anvil-shaped ossicle that connects the malleus and stapes

stapes

the stirrup-shaped ossicle that fits into the oval window

Eustachian tube

tube connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx and mastoid air cells; equalizes air pressure

inner ear

fluid-filled area containing the labyrinth structures, divided from the middle ear by the temporal bone

labyrinth

collective name for the three fluid-filled structures of the inner ear (vestibule, semicircular canals, cochlea)

vestibule

the entrance to the inner ear

semicircular canals

inner ear structures that send sensory information about the position of the head to maintain balance

cochlea

inner ear structure that sends sensory information about sound waves entering the ear

nasal dorsum

the vertical ridge of the nose supported by the nasal bone

nares

the external openings of the nose; commonly called nostrils

nasal ala

the flared cartilage on the side of each nostril

turbinates

three scroll-like projections (nasal conchae) on the nasal cavity walls that slow down, warm, and moisten inhaled air

nasal septum

the vertical piece of cartilage that divides the nasal cavity into left and right sides

sinus

a hollow cavity within a bone that is lined with mucous membrane

frontal sinuses

sinuses located just above each eyebrow

maxillary sinuses

sinuses located on either side of the nose

ethmoid sinuses

groups of small air cells located between the nose and eyes

sphenoid sinuses

sinuses located posterior to the nasal cavity

mentum

the chin

nasolabial fold

the skin crease extending from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth

philtrum

the vertical groove in the skin of the upper lip

hard palate

the bony structure forming the front roof of the mouth that divides the oral cavity from the nasal cavity

soft palate

the flexible tissue structure at the rear roof of the mouth that includes the uvula

uvula

the structure hanging from the soft palate at the back of the mouth

temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

the joint connecting each side of the mandible jawbone to the temporal bone

pharynx

the throat; a shared passageway for food and air divided into three areas

nasopharynx

the area of the pharynx behind the nasal cavity that contains the adenoids

oropharynx

the area of the pharynx behind the oral cavity that contains the palatine tonsils

laryngopharynx

the area of the pharynx behind the larynx that contains the lingual tonsils

larynx

the voice box; a short, triangular internal structure visible externally as the laryngeal prominence

laryngeal prominence

the external projection on the front of the neck commonly called the Adam’s apple

glottis

a V-shaped band in the middle of the larynx consisting of cartilage, ligaments, and the vocal cords

vocal cords

bands of connective tissue within the larynx that vibrate to produce sounds during speaking and singing

epiglottis

the lid-like structure that seals off the larynx during swallowing so food travels into the esophagus instead of the trachea

hair cells

specialized receptor cells in the cochlea and semicircular canals that convert fluid vibrations or movement into nerve impulses

acous/o-

hearing; sound

-tic

pertaining to

Acoustic neuroma

benign tumor of the vestibulocochlear nerve; may cause pain, dizziness, or hearing loss

impact/o-

wedged in

-ion

action; condition

Cerumen impaction

condition in which earwax, epithelial cells, and hairs form a mass that occludes the external auditory canal

Alligator forceps

surgical instrument named for its long nose and biting jaws, used to remove impacted cerumen or foreign bodies from the ear canal

cholesterol

cholesterol

stear

animal fat

-oma

mass or tumor

Cholesteatoma

benign, slow-growing tumor made of cholesterol and epithelial cells in the middle ear; usually caused by chronic middle ear infection

labyrinth/o-

labyrinth

-itis

infection or inflammation of

Labyrinthitis

bacterial or viral infection of the inner ear structures; symptoms include hearing loss and vertigo

mastoid/o-

mastoid process

Mastoiditis

bacterial infection of the air cells in the mastoid bone, caused by untreated/chronic otitis media; symptoms include swelling, tenderness, and ear drainage

Hemotympanum

blood in the middle ear that can be visually identified behind the tympanic membrane during examination

Meniere disease

edema or fluctuating pressure of inner ear fluid; symptoms include vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear

Motion sickness

condition where irregular travel motion causes symptoms of dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and headache

Otitis externa

bacterial infection of the external auditory canal; accompanied by otalgia (ear pain), swelling, and drainage

Otitis media

acute or chronic bacterial infection of the middle ear and tympanic membrane; symptoms include otalgia, pressure, bulging eardrum, or effusion

Pediatric otitis media symptoms

symptoms in children include irritability, fever, and tugging at the ear

Myringitis

inflammation or infection of the tympanic membrane

Myringitis and effusion exam findings

examination shows a red, inflamed eardrum, dullness with no light reflex, loss of normal landmarks (malleus not visible), and a bulging membrane

Perforated tympanic membrane

a ruptured eardrum; can be caused by chronic otitis media, infection pressure, trauma, or unequal air/water pressure in pilots and divers

Otorrhea

drainage of fluid or pus from the ear; may be caused by otitis externa, otitis media, or a temporal bone fracture

scler/o-

hard

-osis

abnormal condition

Otosclerosis

abnormal deposits of bone in the middle ear that immobilize the stapes, resulting in conductive hearing loss

Tinnitus

constant or intermittent buzzing, ringing, hissing, or roaring sounds heard in one or both ears, especially in quiet environments

Vertigo

the sensation of motion and dizziness when the body is completely stationary