HEENT Notes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to HEENT (Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat) health and anatomy for review before the upcoming exam.

HEENT

An acronym for Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat.

Thyroid Gland

An internal structure in the neck that regulates metabolism and plays a role in growth and development.

Retina

The layer of tissue at the back of the eye that converts light into neural signals.

Sclera

The white outer layer of the eyeball, providing structural support.

Cornea

The transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil.

Aqueous Humor

A clear fluid in the front part of the eye that helps maintain intraocular pressure.

Tragus

The small, cartilaginous prominence in front of the ear canal.

External Auditory Canal

The tube through which sound travels to reach the eardrum.

Tympanic Membrane

Commonly known as the eardrum; it vibrates in response to sound waves.

Eustachian Tube

A passage that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, helping to equalize pressure.

Turbinate

Bony structures inside the nose that increase surface area for humidification and filtration of air.

Frenulum

A small fold of tissue that secures the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Fontanels

Soft spots on an infant's skull that allow for growth and brain development.

Presbyopia

A condition associated with aging in which the ability to focus on nearby objects is lost.

Xanthelasma

Yellowish patches of fat that may appear on the eyelids.

PERRLA

An acronym used to describe normal Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation.

Strabismus

A condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other.

Myopia

A vision condition also known as nearsightedness, where distant objects appear blurry.

Glaucoma

A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve and can lead to blindness.

Cataracts

A clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision.

Retinoblastoma

A rare type of eye cancer that typically develops in early childhood.

Adaptive Devices

Tools such as glasses or hearing aids that assist individuals with sensory impairments.

Endocrine

The system of glands that produce hormones to regulate metabolism, growth, and development.

Hearing Loss

A partial or total inability to hear which can vary in severity.

Epistaxis

Medical term for nosebleeding.

Malocclusions

Misalignment of teeth and incorrect relation between the teeth of the two dental arches.

Angioedema

Swelling that occurs beneath the skin or mucous membranes.

Auscultation

Listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually as part of a physical examination.

Inspection

A careful visual examination of the body.

Palpation

An examination technique in which the examiner feels the textures, size, consistency, and location of certain body parts.

Symmetry

A condition in which parts on one side of the body are the same as those on the other side.

Hydration

The process of providing adequate fluids to maintain health and function.

Ocular Changes

Alterations to the structure or function of the eye.

Oral Hygiene

Practices that help maintain the integrity of teeth and gums.

Conjunctiva

The clear membrane covering the white part of the eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelids.

Tinnitus

The perception of noise or ringing in the ears.

Dizziness/Vertigo

A condition characterized by the sensation of spinning or losing one's balance.