Ear (Med Terms)

little ear; projected part of the external ear.

external passage for sounds collected from the pinna to the tympanum

waxy substsances secreted by glands located throughout the external canal

eardrum; drug-like structure that receives sound collected in the external auditory meatus and amplifies it through the middle ear.

tube connecting the middle ear to the pharynx

projection of the temporal bone located behind the ear containing air cells that connect to the middle ear.

maze; inner ear consisting of bony and membranous labyrinths

coiled tubular structure of the inner ear that contains the organ of Corti

middle part of the inner ear in front of the semicircular canals and behind the cochlea that contains the utricle and saccule

three canals within the inner ear that contain specialized receptor cells that generate nerve impulses with body movement

condition of absence or malformation of inner ear structures during embryonic development, resulting in hearing loss

earache

bleeding form the ear

purulent drainage from the ear

a jingling; ringing or buzzing in the ear

a turning around; dizziness

inflammation of the external auditory meatus

inflammation of the eardrum

inflammation of the middle ear

hardening of the bony tissue in the ear

inflammation of the mastoid process; most commonly seen as a result of the spread of inflammation and infection in otitis media

benign tumor on the auditory nerve that causes vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss

disorder of the inner ear due to an excessive buildup of endolymphatic fluid causing episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, and hearing loss

hearing impairment caused by interference with sound or vibratory energy in the external canal, middle ear, or ossicles

hearing impairment caused by lesions or dysfunction of the cochlea or auditory nerve

person who specializes in the study of hearing impairments

use of an otoscope to examine the external auditory meatus (canal) and tympanic membrae.

incision into the eardrum, most often for insertion of a small metal or plastic tube to keep the meatus open, avoiding fluid buildup as that which occurs as a result of otitis media.

electronic device implanted in the cochlea that provides sound perception to patients with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears