Eye and Ear Terminology Review

Medical Terminology Related to the Eye

• Key Combining Forms:

  • Amblyo: dull or dim
  • Aqueo: water
  • Blasto: immature
  • Blepharo: eyelid
  • Example: Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid)
  • Chromato: color
  • Cyclo: ciliary body
  • Dacryo: tears
  • Diplo: double (e.g., Diplopia - double vision)
  • Glauco: gray
  • Iro/Irrito: iris
  • Kerat/o: cornea
  • Example: Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
  • Maculo: macula lutea
  • Neo: new
  • Oculo/Ophthalmo: eye
  • Example: Ophthalmology (study of the eye)
  • Photo: light
  • Example: Photophobia (fear/sensitivity to light)
  • Presbyo: old age
  • Pupillo: pupil
  • Sclero: sclera
  • Stigmato: point
  • Vitreo: glassy

• Common Suffixes:

  • -opia: vision condition
  • -opsia: vision condition
  • -phobia: fear
  • -tropia: turned condition
  • Example: Emotropia (normal vision)
  • -malacia: abnormal softening
  • Example: Scleromalacia (softening of the sclera)

• Common Prefixes:

  • Aniso: unequal
  • Exo: outward
  • Myo: to shut

Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye

• Five Special Senses:

  • Vision
  • Hearing
  • Equilibrium
  • Smell
  • Taste

• Ophthalmology: Study of the eye, which transmits external images to the brain via the optic nerve.

• Eyeball Structure:

  • Composed of three layers:
  • Sclera: Outermost layer, protective
  • Choroid: Middle layer, contains blood vessels
  • Retina: Innermost layer, contains rods and cones
    • Rods: active in dim light
    • Cones: responsible for color vision

• Light Path in Eye:

  • Light enters through the sclera, passing through the cornea, aqueous humor, lens, and vitreous humor, reaching the retina where it is converted to electrical signals sent to the brain.

• Optic Disc: Blind spot in the field of vision where there are no rods or cones.

• Fluids in the Eye:

  • Aqueous humor: watery fluid in front of the lens
  • Vitreous humor: gel-like substance behind the lens

Eye Muscles and Associated Structures

• External Eye Muscles:
  • Six muscles control movement, including four rectus and two oblique muscles.
  • Strabismus: Condition of muscle weakness causing misalignment.
• Eyelids & Conjunctiva: Protect the eye, lubricated by sebaceous glands.
• Lacrimal Apparatus: Consists of lacrimal glands, canals, and ducts that produce and drain tears.

Eye Pathologies

• Common Eye Conditions:

  • Anisocoria: Unequal pupil sizes
  • Blepharoptosis: Drooping eyelid
  • Glaucoma: Increased intraocular pressure
  • Cataracts: Clouding of the lens, treated surgically
  • Retinal Detachment: Medical emergency
  • Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of conjunctiva, commonly called pink eye

• Pathology Terms Formation:

  • Blepharoptosis: Combining form blepharo (eyelid) + suffix ptosis (drooping)
  • Diplopia: Combining form diplo (double) + suffix opia (vision)

Diagnostic Procedures and Tools

• Color Vision Tests: Ishihara test to identify red-green color blindness.
• Fluorescein Angiography: Observes blood movement in retina.
• Ophthalmoscopy: Examines the interior using an ophthalmoscope.
• Tonometry: Measures intraocular pressure to check for glaucoma.

Medical Specialties Related to the Eye

• Ophthalmologist: Specializes in diagnosing and treating eye conditions

• Optometrist: Examines eyes and prescribes corrective lenses

• Important Terms:

  • VA: Visual Acuity
  • PERRLA: Pupils Equal, Round, React to Light, and Accommodation

The Ear: Anatomy and Physiology

• Key Structures:
  • Auricle: Visible outer ear
  • Auditory Canal: Contains cerumen (earwax) and leads to the tympanic membrane (eardrum)
• Middle Ear: Contains ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes) and connects with the nasopharynx via the eustachian tube.
• Inner Ear: Labyrinth containing cochlea (hearing) and vestibular structures (equilibrium).

Ear Pathologies

• Common Conditions:
  • Otitis Externa/Otomycosis: External ear infection
  • Otitis Media: Infection of the middle ear
  • Meniere's Disease: Affects hearing and balance
  • Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears
• Hearing Loss Types:
  • Conductive: Problems with outer/middle ear
  • Sensorineural: Damage to cochlea or nerve

Diagnostic Procedures for Ear Disorders

• Audiogram: Records hearing ability.
• Tympanometry: Measures tympanic membrane movement to assess middle ear pressure.
• Rinne and Weber Tests: Assesses nerve and bone conduction of sound.

Medical Specialties Related to the Ear

• Audiologist: Measures hearing functions.
• Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT): Diagnoses conditions related to the ear, nose, and throat.