Diseases & Disorders of the Sensory Systems

PTC MC: Chapter 4: Sensory Systems, Diseases & Disorders of the Sensory Systems

Anosmia

Loss of the sense of smell.

Often caused by blunt force trauma to the face. It occurs when the frontal lobe of the brain moves relative to the ethmoid bone resulting in the olfactory tract axons shearing apart.

Otitis Media

Inflammation of the middle ear canal that involves the eardrum.

Otitis Externa

Inflammation of the external ear canal. Often called swimmer’s ear.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Hearing loss that occurs when something disrupts sound through the mid and outer ear. This may be managed by medication, surgery.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss resulting from damage to the neural structures. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent.

Tinnitus

Condition in which a person hears ringing, roaring, or buzzing in their ears

Otosclerosis

Hardening of the ear due to a new bone formation of the inner ossicles.

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the nasal cavity mucosal lining which can lead to congestion and rhinorrhea (runny nose)

Dacryostenosis

Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. This prevents tears from draining from eye into the ducts, leading to excess tearing.

Blindness

broad spectrum of visual disability, from limited visibility to total blindness.

Cataract

Clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a condition involving inflammation of the conjunctiva. Common causes include allergens, bacterial/viral pathogens.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Disease of the retina caused by diabetes mellitus. The retinal veins dilate, leading to swelling as fluid leaks from blood vessels into the retina.

Glaucoma

A condition in which increased pressure in the eye leads to progressive vision loss.

Macular Degeneration / Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

The progressive damage of a portion of the retina known as the macula. Leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 60.

Retinal Detachment

When the retina is pulled away or separated from its normal position.

Strabismus

Condition where the affected eye rotates due to mismatched eye coordination. Esotropia/Exotropia/Hypertropia/Hypotropia. If not managed, it may result in amblyopia (lazy eye)