Chapter 4 Sensory Systems

Acoustic neuroma

A benign tumor of the vestibular nerve in the internal auditory canal

Anisocoria

Condition of unequal pupil size

Anosmia

Loss of the sense of smell

Aphakia

Condition of no lens

Audiologist

Specialist who studies

Audiology

Medical specialty that studies hearing and hearing impairment

Audiometry

The testing of the acuity of the sense of hearing

Binocular

The use of both eyes to create one composite image

Blepharitis

Inflammation of eyelids

Blepharoplasty

Surgical repair of the eyelid

Blepharoptosis

Drooping of the upper eyelid

Cataract

A condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva; also called pinkeye

Dacryocystitis

Inflammation of the tear (lacrimal) sac

Dacryocystorhinostomy

Creation of an artificial opening between the lacrimal sac and the nose (to restore drainage)

Diplopia

Double vision

Endophthalmitis

Inflammation within the eye

Epistaxis

Nosebleed

Hyperopia

Farsightedness

Iridectomy

Excision of part of the iris

Iritis

Inflammation of the iris

Keratitis

Inflammation of the cornea

Keratomalacia

Degeneration of the cornea

Keratoplasty

Surgical replacement of the cornea

Kinesthesia

Sense of body movement based on sensation in the skeletal muscles

Labyrinthitis

Inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinth)

Mastoidectomy

Excision of the mastoid bone

Mastoiditis

Inflammation of the mastoid bone

Mechanoreceptor

A sensory neuron that responds to mechanical pressure

Myopia

Nearsightedness

Myringoplasty

Surgical repair of the tympanic membrane

Nasopharyngeal

Pertaining to the nose and pharynx (throat)

Nociceptors

Sensory neurons that respond to pain

Ophthalmia neonatorum

Conjunctivitis in newborns (severe)

Ophthalmologist

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating eye problems

Ophthalmology

A surgical specialty focused on the structure

Ophthalmopathy

Disease of the eye

Ophthalmoplegia

Paralysis of one or more eye muscles

Ophthalmoscope

Instrument used to view the inside of the eye

Ophthalmoscopy

An exam of the fundus of the eye using a magnifying lens and light

Optometrist

A specialist who diagnoses

Optometry

The professional practice of eye and vision care that involves measuring vision

Otalgia

Pain in the ear

Otorhinolaryngologist

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear

Otomycosis

Fungal infection of the external ear

Otosclerosis

Hardening of the ear

Otoscope

Instrument used to view the ear

Otoscopy

Process of viewing the ear canal and eardrum

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx

Photophobia

A condition in which the eyes are more sensitive than normal to light

Proprioception

Sense of position and movement of the body

Retinoblastoma

Cancer that forms in the tissues of the retina

Retinopathy

Disease of the retina

Retinoscopy

Process of determining the refractive state of the eye

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose

Rhinorrhea

Excess nasal drainage; also called a “runny nose

Sinusitis

Inflammation of the sinuses

Stapedectomy

Excision of the stapes

Stye

Infection of an oil gland of the eyelid (hordeolum)

Thermoreceptors

Specialized neurons that respond to changes in temperature

Tonometer

Instrument used to measure pressure (within the eye)

Tonometry

Process of measuring pressure (within the eye)

Tonsillitis

Inflammation of the tonsils

Tympanic membrane

Ear drum

Tympanoplasty

Surgical repair of the tympanic membrane

Visceral (sense)

Sense associated with the internal organs

Visual acuity

Sharpness of vision

Xerophthalmia

Condition of dry eye