Special Senses—Ears Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering the structure, function, common conditions, and medical terminology related to the human ear, based on Chapter 11 lecture notes on special senses.

ot/o

ear

External Ear

The outermost subdivision of the ear, responsible for producing cerumen and directing sound waves.

Middle Ear

The central subdivision of the ear, containing the tympanic membrane and ossicles.

Inner Ear

The innermost subdivision of the ear, also called the labyrinth, responsible for processing sound vibrations.

Cerumen

Ear wax produced by the external ear, which acts as a filter trapping foreign substances.

Auricles

Indented shape of the external ear that acts as highly effective receivers of sound waves.

Tympanic Membrane

The eardrum; vibrates when struck by sound waves, transmitting them to the ossicles.

Ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes) that transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the oval window.

Malleus

One of the ossicles in the middle ear (hammer-shaped).

Incus

One of the ossicles in the middle ear (anvil-shaped).

Stapes

One of the ossicles in the middle ear (stirrup-shaped); touches the oval window.

Oval Window

A membrane separating the middle ear from the inner ear, vibrated by the stapes.

Labyrinth

Another name for the inner ear.

Cochlea

A snail-shaped structure in the inner ear containing special auditory liquids and the organ of Corti.

Organ of Corti

A sensitive auditory receptor area located within the cochlea.

myring/o, tympan/o

combining form for tympanic membrane (eardrum)

labyrinth/o

combining form for labyrinth (inner ear)

staped/o

combining form for stapes

cochle/o

combining form for cochlea

salping/o

combining form for tubes (eustachian)

acous/o, audi/o, audit/o

combining forms for hearing

mastoid/o

combining form for mastoid process

-acusis

suffix meaning hearing

-stenosis

suffix meaning narrowing, stricture

otorrhea

discharge from the ear

otolaryngologist

specialist in the study of ear and throat disorders

tympanorrhexis

rupture of the eardrum

otopyorrhea

discharge or flow of pus from the ear

anacusia / anacusis

without or not hearing (deafness)

otodynia

pain in the ear

otitis

inflammation of the ear

otoscope

instrument to examine the ear(s)

mastoiditis

inflammation of the mastoid process

labyrinthotomy

incision of the labyrinth (inner ear)

presbycusis / presbyacusia

hearing (loss) due to old age; impairment of hearing that results from the aging process

audiometer

instrument to measure hearing

Otitis Media

Inflammation of the middle ear, often associated with fluid accumulation and an earache.

Stapedectomy

Surgical removal of the stapes and insertion of a prosthesis.

Tympanoplasty

Surgical repair of the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

Cochlear Implant

Surgical implantation of a device to help patients hear.

Myringotomy

Surgical incision of the eardrum.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Hearing loss due to an impairment in the transmission of sound because of an obstruction of the ear canal or damage to the eardrum or ossicles.

Ménière Disease

Rare disorder of unknown etiology within the labyrinth of the inner ear that can lead to progressive loss of hearing.

Otosclerosis

Progressive deafness due to ossification in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear; abnormal condition of ear hardening.

Tinnitus

Ringing or tinkling noise heard constantly or intermittently in one or both ears.

Vertigo

Sensation of moving around in space or a feeling of dizziness or spinning.

Audiometry

The act of measuring hearing.

Otoplasty

Surgical repair of the ear.