Eye and Ear

Function of the eye

Detects light and converts it into electrical signals that the brain interprets as images.

Sclera

White, outer protective layer.

Cornea

Transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. It refracts light.

Choroid

Middle layer, rich in blood vessels, nourishes the retina.

Retina

Innermost layer, contains photoreceptor cells (rods for dim light, cones for color vision).

Iris

Colored part of the eye, controls pupil size.

Pupil

Opening in the center of the iris that regulates the amount of light entering the eye.

Lens

Transparent, biconvex structure behind the iris that focuses light on the retina.

Vitreous Humor

Gel-like substance filling the posterior cavity, maintains eye shape.

Aqueous Humor

Watery fluid filling the anterior cavity, nourishes cornea and lens.

Eyelids (Palpebrae)

Protect the eye.

Conjunctiva

Transparent membrane lining the eyelids and covering the front of the eyeball.

Lacrimal Glands

Produce tears to lubricate and cleanse the eye.

Extrinsic Eye Muscles

Control eye movement.

Function of the ear

Detects sound waves and helps maintain balance (equilibrium).

Auricle (Pinna)

Visible outer part of the ear.

External Auditory Canal (Ear Canal)

Passageway to the eardrum.

Tympanic Membrane (Eardrum)

Vibrates in response to sound waves.

Ossicles

Three tiny bones that transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.

Malleus (Hammer)

One of the three middle ear bones transmitting vibrations.

Incus (Anvil)

One of the three middle ear bones transmitting vibrations.

Stapes (Stirrup)

One of the three middle ear bones transmitting vibrations.

Eustachian Tube (Auditory Tube)

Connects middle ear to the nasopharynx, equalizes pressure.

Cochlea

Snail-shaped structure containing the organ of Corti (receptor for hearing).

Vestibule

Contains structures for static equilibrium (head position).

Semicircular Canals

Three fluid-filled loops involved in dynamic equilibrium (head movement).

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (Cranial Nerve VIII)

Transmits auditory and balance information to the brain.

Astigmatism

Blurred vision due to irregular curvature of the cornea or lens.

Cataract

Clouding of the lens, leading to blurred vision.

Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)

Inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Damage to the retina caused by diabetes.

Glaucoma

Increased intraocular pressure, leading to optic nerve damage and potential blindness.

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Difficulty seeing distant objects.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Difficulty seeing near objects.

Macular Degeneration

Deterioration of the macula (central part of the retina), causing loss of central vision.

Strabismus

Misalignment of the eyes (e.g., cross-eyed, wall-eyed).

Retinal Detachment

Separation of the retina from the choroid.

Photophobia

Sensitivity to light.

Otitis Media

Inflammation or infection of the middle ear.

Tinnitus

Ringing or buzzing in the ears.

Vertigo

Sensation of spinning or dizziness.

Meniere's Disease

Disorder of the inner ear causing vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear.

Otosclerosis

Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, leading to hearing loss.

Presbycusis

Age-related hearing loss.

Anacusis

Total deafness.

Cerumen Impaction

Buildup of earwax in the ear canal.

Ophthalmoscopy

Visual examination of the interior of the eye (fundus).

Slit Lamp Examination

Magnified view of the anterior eye structures.

Tonometry

Measures intraocular pressure (for glaucoma).

Visual Acuity Test (Snellen Chart)

Measures sharpness of vision.

Cataract Extraction

Surgical removal of a clouded lens.

LASIK

Laser eye surgery to correct refractive errors.

Otoscopy

Visual examination of the ear canal and tympanic membrane.

Audiometry

Measures hearing ability.

Tympanometry

Measures the movement of the eardrum.

Cochlear Implant

Electronic device surgically implanted to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf.

Myringotomy

Surgical incision into the eardrum to relieve pressure or drain fluid.

blephar/o

eyelid

conjunctiv/o

conjunctiva

corne/o, kerat/o

cornea

cycl/o

ciliary body, circle

dacry/o, lacrim/o

tear, tear duct

ir/o, irid/o

iris

ocul/o, ophthalm/o

eye

opt/o, optic/o

eye, vision

phac/o, phak/o

lens

retin/o

retina

scler/o

sclera, hard

vitre/o

vitreous body, glassy

audi/o, audit/o

hearing

aur/o, ot/o

ear

cochle/o

cochlea

labyrinth/o

labyrinth (inner ear)

myring/o, tympan/o

tympanic membrane (eardrum), middle ear

ossicul/o

ossicle

salping/o

eustachian tube, fallopian tube

staped/o

stapes

vestibul/o

vestibule

an-

without, not

dipl-

double

hyper-

excessive, above normal

hypo-

deficient, below normal

intra-

within

myo-

muscle (in context of myopia, refers to short)

presby-

old age

-acusis

hearing

-algia

pain

-ectomy

surgical removal

-itis

inflammation

-meter

instrument for measuring

-metry

process of measuring

-oma

tumor, mass

-opia

vision condition

-osis

abnormal condition

-pathy

disease

-plasty

surgical repair

-plegia

paralysis

-rrhea

flow, discharge

-scope

instrument for visual examination

-scopy

visual examination process