The EAR
Chapter Thirteen
Medical Terminology
HIT # 141
Anatomy
• Auricle, pinna = bilateral of the head, directs
sound waves in the external auditory meatus.
• External auditory meatus = short tube ends at
the tympanic membrane.
• Tympanic membrane = eardrum semitransparent
membrane that separates the external meatus
and the middle ear cavity.
• Eustachian tube = connects the middle ear and
the pharynx (throat). Regulates air pressure.
• Ossicles = bones of the middle ear, carry sound
vibrations, malleus (hammer), incus (anvil),
stapes (stirrup).
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Anatomy
• Inner ear Labyrinth = bony spaces within the
temporal bone of the skull.
– Cochlea =snail shaped and contains the organ of
hearing.
– Semicircular canals & vestibule = contains
receptors and endolymph that help the body
maintain its balance or equilibrium.
• Mastoid bone and cells = located in the skull
bone behind the external auditory meatus.
Combining Forms for the EAR
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Acou/o audi/o = hearing
Aur/i aur/o = ear.
Labyrinth/o = labyrinth.
Mastoid/o = mastoid bone.
Myring/o = tympanic membrane (eardrum).
Ot/o = ear.
Staped/o = stapes (middle ear bone).
Tympan/o = tympanic membrane, eardrum.
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Disease and Disorder Terms
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Labyrinthitis = inflammation of the labyrinth.
Mastoiditis = inflammation of the mastoid bone.
Myringitis = inflammation of the eardrum.
Otalgia = pain in the ear.
Otomycosis = fungus in the ear.
Otopyorrhea = discharge of pus from the ear.
Tympanitis = inflammation of the middle ear.
Otitis Meida.
• Ceruminoma = tumor of the glands that secrete
earwax.
Disease and Disorder Terms
• Meniere’s disease = chronic disease of the inner
ear, dizziness and ringing in the ear.
• Otitis externa = inflammation of the outer ear.
• Otitis media = inflammation of the middle ear.
• Tinnitus = ringing in the ears.
• Vertigo = dizziness.
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Surgical Terms
• Labyrinthectomy = excision of the labyrinth.
• Mastoidectomy = excision of the mastoid bone.
• Myringoplasty = surgical repair of the tympanic
membrane.
• Myringotomy = incision of the tympanic
membrane, performed to release pus and relieve
pressure in the middle ear.
• Tympanoplasty = surgical repair of the eardrum.
Procedural Terms
• Acoumeter = instrument used to measure,
acuteness of hearing.
• Audiogram = graphic record of hearing.
• Audiometry = measurement of hearing.
• Otoscopy = visual examination of the ear.
• Tympanometer = instrument to measure middle
ear functions.
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Complementary Terms
• Audiologist = one who is skilled in and
specializes in audiology.
• Audiology = study of hearing.
• Otologist = physician who studies and treats
diseases of the ear.
• Otology = study of the ear.
• Otorhinolaryngologist = ENT physician who
studies and treats diseases and disorders of the
ear, (ear, nose, & throat).
Abbreviations
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AD = right ear OD = right eye
AS = left ear OS = left eye
AU = both ears OU = both eyes
ENT = ear, nose, throat
EENT = eye, ear, nose, throat
OM = otitis media
Oto = otology
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End of Chapter # 13
Speak up, I can’t hear you!
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