THE EAR
The ear is a major sense organ concerned with two important
functions;
a) Hearing
b) Balance
The ear provides an auditory input into the brain by detecting vibrations in the
surrounding air and converting them into nerve impulses. These impulses are relayed
to the brain where they are interpreted as sounds. The possession of two ears allows
us the ability to sense direction.
The role of the ear in balance is achieved by vestibular apparatus detecting changes
in velocity and position of the body. Nerves relay this information to centres within the
cerebellum of the brain.
Root
Combining form
Meaning
Acoust
Audi
Aur
Auricul
Cerumin
Cochle
Incud
Labyrinth
Malle
Mast
Myring
Ot
Salping
Acoust/o
Audi/o
Aur/i, -aural
Auricul/o
cerumin/o
Cochle/o
Incud/o, -incudal
Labyrinth/o
Malle/o
Mastoid/o
Myring/o
Ot/o
Salping/o
Staped/o,
stapedi/o
Tympan/o
Vestibul/o
Hear/hearing/sound
Hear/hearing
Ear
Ear/pinna
Cerumen / ear wax (cera - wax)
Cochlea, snail (receptor for hearing in the inner ear)
Incus bone or anvil
Maze, twisted spiral shape
Malleus bone or hammer
Breast, nipple shaped
Membrane
Ear
Eustachian or trumpet tube
Stapedi
Tympan
Vestibul
Stapes bone or stirrup
Drum
Entrance
Activity 1
Build words which mean
1.
The study of the anatomy and physiology of the ear __________________________
2.
Fungal infection/condition of the ear ______________________________________
3.
Excessive flow of pus from the ear________________________________________
4.
Instrument to view the ear
THE EAR
_________________________________________
Page 1 of 5
The ear can be divided into three areas, the external, middle and inner ear. Infection
and inflammation (otitis) can occur in any of these areas. Terms used to describe the
position of the inflammation are;
Otitis externa – inflammation of the external ear
Otitis media – inflammation of the middle ear
Otitis interna – inflammation of the inner ear
Infection commonly begins in the middle ear because it is connected to the
nasopharynx by a short tube known as the Eustachian canal. This canal functions to
equalize the pressure on either side of the eardrum but it also provides an entrance
for microorganisms.
Activity 2
Write the meaning of
1.
Binaural
__________________________________________________________
2.
Endaural
__________________________________________________________
3.
Salpingitis __________________________________________________________
Viewing the ear canal and tympanic membrane is improved by using an aural speculum,
a device which is inserted into the external ear before examining with an auriscope.
The auriscope is used to examine the external ear canal and the ear membrane.
Occasionally, the ear canal becomes blocked by excessive wax production by the
cerumenous (wax) glands in its lining. This can be removed by washing the ear with
warm water using an aural syringe.
Activity 3
Build words which mean
1.
Incision into the ear membrane _________________________________________
2.
Instrument used to cut the ear membrane __________________________________
3.
Middle ear infection
4.
Reconstruction surgery of the tympanum __________________________________
5.
Removal of the stapes
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Sometimes the tympanic membrane is surgically punctured to assist the drainage of
fluid from the middle ear (as in glue ear). Once an opening is made in the
membrane, fluid drains through the Eustachian tube into the nasopharynx. A small
plastic grommet can be fixed into the membrane and this assists drainage for an
extended period. The grommet eventually falls out and the membrane heals.
THE EAR
Page 2 of 5
Activity 4
Build words which mean
1.
Technique of recording the cochlea’s electrical activity ________________________
2.
Inflammation of the labyrinth
3.
Removal of the tissue from the mastoid process _____________________________
_________________________________________
Within the middle ear are found the smallest bones in the body, the ear ossicles –
they are the malleus, incus and stapes. Their function is to transmit vibrations from
the tympanic membrane to the inner ear via the oval window. Behind the oval
window is a fluid filled structure known as the cochlea, the organ of hearing. Within
the cochlea are sensory hair cells, which respond to vibrations in the fluid by
producing nerve impulses. The auditory area of the brain interprets these sounds
and enables us to hear.
Activity 5
Build words which mean
1.
The science dealing with the study of hearing _______________________________
2.
Instrument to measure hearing
_________________________________________
3.
Chart/tracing of hearing ability
_________________________________________
4.
The measurement of hearing
_________________________________________
Abbreviations:
AC
Air conduction
AD
Auris dextra (right ear)
AD
Auris Dextra (right ear)
AS
Auris sinistra (left ear)
AS
Auris Sinister (left ear)
Aud
Audiology
BC
Bone conduction
ENT
Ear nose and throat
ETF
Eustachian tube function
OE
Otitis externa
OM
otitis media
Oto
Otology
THE EAR
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Conditions and Terms:
deafness conductive
glue ear
Meniere's
disease
otalgia
hearing impairment resulting from obstruction of sound waves
accumulation of fluid in the middle ear, causing deafness
disorder of inner ear characterised by recurrent vertigo, deafness
and tinnitus
pain in ear (earache)
otorrhagia
bleeding from the ear
otorrhoea
discharge from the ear
tinnitus
continuous ringing, buzzing noise in ear
dizziness, sensation of feeling that the person or his surroundings
are spinning
vertigo
Procedures:
audiogram
recording tracing of hearing (made with an audiometer)
myringoplasty
surgical repair of a perforation of the tympanic membrane
myringotomy
incision made into the eardrum
ossiculoplasty
repair of the ear bones
otoplasty
plastic surgery of the ear
stapedectomy
removal of the stapes, third ossicle of the ear
surgical repair of the tympanic membrane when there are
problems with disease such as infection or bone problems
tympanoplasty
THE EAR
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Ear flap (pinna)
Ear membrane
Middle ear
and ear drum
--------------
----------------
---------------
Section through the ear
Write the appropriate combining form on the dotted lines – more than one
component may relate to the same position.
Auricul/o
Ot/o
THE EAR
Cochle/o
Salping/o
Labyrinth/o
Tympan/o
Mastoid/o
Vestibul/o
Myring/o
Page 5 of 5