Med Terms Special Senses

an-

not; without

ec-

out; outside

en-

in; within

eso-

inward

exo-

outward

infra-

below; beneath, inferior

-cusis

hearing

-meter

measure

-metry

process of measuring

-pexy

surgical fixation

-tropia

to turn

audi/o

hearing

cochle/o

cochlea

conjunctiv/o

conjunctiva

corne/o

cornea

dacry/o

tear

lacrim/o

tears

ofacto/o

smell

ophthalm/o

eye

amblyopia

imparied vision in one or both eyes resulting from altered development in early childhood, lazy eye

astigmatism

defective curvature of the cornea that produces blurred vision

auditory ossicles

transmit the vibratory motion of the eardrum to the fluids of the inner ear

auricle

forms the shell-shaped structure of the outer ear, directs sound to the auditory canal

cochlea

snail-like structure in the inner ear that contains special fluids through which sound vibrations travel

conjunctiva

clear, colorless mucous membranes that lines the eyelids and covers the anterior portion of the eyeball

cornea

transparent anterior portion of the sclera that protects the iris and pupil and provides most of the eye’s optical power

Eustachian tube

the tube that helps equalize pressure within the ear by draining fluids and air

glaucoma

disease in which intraocular pressure causes damage to the retina and the optical nerve

hyperopia

condition in which a defect results in light rays focusing behind the retina rather than directly on it

iris

the pigmented muscular layer that surrounds the pupil

macula

an oval-shaped pigmented area near the retina, contains specialized, high-density cones used for high-acuity vision

macular degeneration

progressive, usually age-related deterioration of the macula that leads to vision loss

malleus

hammer-shaped, outermost auditory ossicle

myopia

condition in which a defect results in light rays focusing in front of the retina rather than directly on it

nystagmus

repetitive, usually involuntary movements of one or both eyes that results in limited visual acuity

otitis media

inflammation of the middle ear

presbyopia

farsightedness caused by an age-related reduction of elasticity in the lens

retina

thin layer of tissue that lines the posterior of the eye internally

sclera

fibrous outer layer of the eye that maintains the eye’s shape, known as the white of the eye

strabismus

crossed eyes

tinnitus

sensation of noises in the ears when no sound is present

tympanic membrane

the eardrum that separates the outer and inner structures of the ear and transmits sound waves

vertigo

sensation of spinning caused by inner ear disorder or condition

vitrectomy

surgical removal of the vitreous humor

B.i.d

twice per day

LASIK

laser in situ keratotomy

PO

by mouth

Q.i.d

four times per day

OD

right eye

OS

left eye