Optics and Audiology Vocabulary

A collection of vocabulary terms related to the anatomy of the eye and auditory system.

Optic

Pertaining to the eye.

Macula Lutea

Area of the retina to which straight-ahead vision comes to focus.

Retina

Innermost layer of the eye; contains rods and cones.

Pupil

Hole in the center of the iris; size is changeable.

Cataract

Diminished vision resulting from a lens opacity.

Cilia

Term for eyelashes that protect the eye from foreign particles; help filter dust and bacteria.

Choroid

Middle layer of the eyeball; provides blood supply.

Audiology

Medical specialty involved with measuring hearing and hearing loss.

Ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear; facilitate sound transmission.

Incus

One of the three ossicles of the middle ear. Also called anvil

Stapes

One of the three ossicles of the middle ear; connects to the inner ear.

Cochlea

Portion of the labyrinth associated with hearing; shaped like a snail shell.

Saccule

Found in inner ear; plays role in equilibrium

Labyrinth

Refers to inner ear; several fluid filled cavities within temporal bone

Myringitis

Eardrum inflammation

Tympanic

Pertaining to eardrum

Pinna

External ear; functions to capture sound waves as they go past outer ear

Aqueous humor

Watery fluid filling spaces between cornea and lens

Sclera

Tough protective outer layer of eyeball; referred as white of eye

Lacrimal

Pertaining to tears