EENT Primary Care

Iris

Colored part of the eye, located between the cornea and lens, controls the amount of light entering the eye

Sclera

Tough layer that protects the inner structure of the eye and helps to maintain its shape, connected to six muscles that allow the eye to look up, down and side to side

Lacrimal Glands

Located in the upper outer aspect of each upper eye lid, prevents infections and moistens the eye, drains through ducts located in the eyelids

Pupil

Circular opening in the iris, the window of the eye through which light passes to the lens and the retina

Conjunctiva

Mucus membrane that lines the eyelid and extends from the eyelid to the front of the eyeball, covers the anterior portion of the sclera

Retina

Inner layer, containing rods and cones, a continuation of the optic nerve

Cornea

Tough, transparent and colorless, covers the pupil and iris, injuries may cause opacity and stop light rays from entering the eye

Lens

Circular structure, filled with “jelly-like” substance, adjusts to focus both near and far objects

Reg Flags of Eye Complaints

Visual loss, history of trauma, foreign body, photophobia, severe eye pain

Red Eye

A general term, any inflammatory response of the conjunctiva will include scleral vascular dilation and engorgement

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva

Snellen Chart

Visual acuity test

Anisocoria

Unequal size of pupil

Auricle or Pinna

Shaped to collect sound waves and direct them toward the eternal auditory meatus

Tragus

A nodule eminence that points backwards over the entrance of the EAC

Tympanic Membranes

Separates the external and middle year, a thin, translucent membrane, may be pearly gray to amber to color

Three Ossicles

Malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), stapes (stapes)

Reg Flags of Ear Complaints

Fever of 101 F or greater, embedded foreign objects, history of trauma to ear, hearing loss

Valsalva Maneuver

Can help raise or lower suspicion of fluid behind the Tm

Cerumen Impaction

Wax in the ears

Otitis Externa O.E. (Swimmers’ Ear)

Inflammation and/or infection of the external auditory canal

Otitis Media O.M.

Middle ear infection

Otoscopic Examination

Stablize examining hand against patient’s head to prevent injury, visualize the canal as you insert the speculum, slowly insert the speculum noting discharge, lesions, narrowing of the EAC, foreign bodies or presence of cerumen

Red Flags of Sinus Complications

Fever of 101 F or greater, severe pain, visual changes, mental/cognitive changes, examination of the nose and sinuses, external structure of the nose, paranasal sinuses

Expistaxis

Nosebleed

Seasonal Allergies or Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal membranes

Sinus Infection (Sinus Pain/Fullness)

A general term, may be cause by anything interfering with airflow into the sinuses and the drainage of mucous out of the sinuses

Acute Sinusitis

Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses

Red Flags of Sore Throat Complaints

Breathing difficulty, difficulty in swallowing, fever of 101 F or greater, tonsillar exudates, midline deviation of the uvula

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

Acute infection in the upper airway

Streptococcal (Strep.) Pharyngitis

Infection of the posterior pharynx and/or tonsils

Peri-Tonsillar Abscess (PTA)

Bacterial infection of the tonsils, which spreads into a cellulitis and abscess

Infectious Mononucleosis

A viral infection that presents as a sore throat

Visual Acuity

The most important step in evaluating ocular problems

Tympanic Membrane

Should have no perforations, look for air bubbles, air/fluid levels, scarring