Medical Terminology Chapter 11: Special Senses

Flashcards for Medical Terminology Chapter 11: Special Senses

an-

not; without

ec-

out; outside

en-

in; within

eso-

inward

exo-

outward

infra-

within; into

-cusis

hearing

-meter

measure

-metry

process of measuring

-pexy

surgical fixation

-tropia

to turn

audi/o

hearing

cochle/o

cochlea

conjunctiv/o

conjunctiva

corne/o

cornea

dacry/o

tear

lacrim/o

tears

olfacto/o

smell

ophthalm/o

eye

amblyopia

Impaired vision in one or both eyes resulting from altered development in early childhood; lazy eye.

astigmatism

Defensive curvature of the cornea that produces blurred vision; may be present with nearsightedness or farsightedness.

auditory ossicles

The three smallest bones in the body that transmits the vibratory motion of the eardrum to the fluids of the inner ear.

auricle

Also known as the pinna. Forms the shell-shaped structure of the outer ear.

cochlea

A snail-like structure of the inner ear that contains special fluids through which sound vibrations travel.

conjunctiva

A clear, colorless mucous membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the anterior portion of the eyeball.

cornea

The transparent anterior portion of the sclera that protects the iris and pupil and provides most of the eye’s optical power.

Eustachian tube

The tube that helps equalize pressure in the ear by draining fluid and air.

glaucoma

Disease in which intraocular pressure (pressure within the eyeball) causes damage to the retina and the optical nerve.

hyperopia

Condition in which a defect results in light rays focusing behind the retina rather than directly on it. Causes images up close to appear blurry; farsightedness.

iris

The pigmented muscular layer that surrounds the pupil.

macula

An oval-shaped pigmented area near the retina, contains specialized, high density cones used for high-acuity vision.

macular degeneration

Progressive, usually age-related, deterioration of the macula that leads to vision loss. Incurable disease.

malleus

The hammer-shaped bone in the ear, the outermost auditory ossicle.

myopia

Condition in which a defect (usually an elongated eyeball shape) results in light rays focusing in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Causes distant images to appear blurry; nearsightedness.

nystagmus

Repetitive, usually involuntary movements of one or both eyes that results in limited visual acuity.

otitis media

Inflammation of the middle ear.

presbyopia

Farsightedness (hyperopia) caused by an age-related reduction of elasticity in the lens.

retina

A thin layer of tissue that lines the posterior of the eye internally.

sclera

The fibrous outer layer of the eye that maintains the eye’s shape, known as the white of the eye.

strabismus

Crossed eyes.

tinnitus

Sensation of noises (such as ringing, buzzing, or whistling) in the ears when no sound is present.

tympanic membrane

Also known as the eardrum. Separates the outer and inner structures of the ear and transmits sound waves through vibrations.

vertigo

Sensation of spinning caused by an inner ear disorder or condition

vitrectomy

Surgical removal of the vitreous humor.

b.i.d

twice per day

LASIK

laser in situ keratotomy

PO

by mouth

q.i.d.

four times per day

OD

right eye

OS

left eye