Specialty Examinations and Procedures

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to specialty medical examinations, including ear, eye, respiratory, and proctologic procedures.

Ear irrigation (lavage)

A procedure that may be required prior to performing ear exams, often due to the presence of cerumen.

Cerumen

The medical term for earwax.

Audiometry

An assessment procedure used to measure hearing acuity.

Ophthalmoscope

An instrument used by a provider to examine the internal structures of the eye.

Visual acuity

The clarity or sharpness of vision, tested in a well-lighted room with and without corrective lenses.

Snellen chart

A tool used as a standard for assessing distance visual acuity.

Jaeger system

A system used to assess near vision acuity.

Ishihara plates

Plates used to assess color vision acuity.

Contrast sensitivity screening

An eye examination test used to evaluate the ability to distinguish an object from its background.

Vital capacity

The greatest volume of air that can be expelled during a complete, slow, unforced expiration following a maximum respiration.

Spirometry

A respiratory test used to measure the volume of air inhaled or exhaled by the lungs.

Peak flow testing

A respiratory assessment that measures a person's maximum speed of expiration.

Pulse oximetry

A noninvasive test used to monitor a person's oxygen saturation.

Proctologic examination

An examination of the anus and interior of the rectum used in the diagnosis of hemorrhoids, fissures, and ulcerations.

Sigmoidoscopy

A diagnostic examination of the interior of the sigmoid colon used to identify cancer, polyps, tumors, or bleeding.

Tympanometry

A procedure used during ear examinations to assess the function of the middle ear.

Rinne Test

A type of tuning fork exam used to evaluate hearing during an ear examination.

Weber Test

A specific tuning fork exam used to assess hearing and bone conduction.