chapter 18 ears

auricle (or pinna) or ear canal

separated from the external ear by the tympanic membrane; consists of three bones: malleus, incus, and stapes

the complex inner structure of the ear: vestibule, semicircular canals, and cochlea, composing the membranes labyrinth

tympanum

earwax

a tube, lined with mucous membrane, that joins the nasopharynx and the tympanic cavity; accomplishes equalization of air pressure

a benign tumor arising from the acoustic nerve in the brain. this tumor causes tinnitus, vertigo, and decreased hearing. small tumors may be surgically resected or removed by radiation therapy

a collection of skin cells and cholesterol in a sac within the middle ear. these cystlike masses are most often the result of chronic otitis media, but may also be congenital defect. it can lead to conductive hearing loss, occulsion of the middle ear, destruction of ossicles, and inner ear erosion. symptoms include weakness of facial muscles, drainage from the affected ear, vertigo, and earache

hearing loss that occurs when the conduction of sound waves through external and middle ear to the inner ear is impaired

lacking the sense of hearing; hearing impairment

inflammation of the eustachian tubes

a skin infection affecting the ear canal

cerumen (earwax) impacted firmly into the ear

inflammation of the labyrinth (inner ear); otitis interna

inflammation of the mastoid antrum and cells (of the temporal bone)

deafness, tinnitus, and dizziness, causes unknown

inflammation of the tympanic membrane (eardrum)

inflammation of the external ear

inflammation of the middle ear

ankylosis of the stapes, resulting in conductive hearing loss

progressive hearing loss in some elderly persons

also called nerve deafness, this type of hearing loss results from physical damage to the hair cells, the vestibulocochlear nerve, or the auditory cortex. this condition may occur because of aging. explosions, extremely loud noises, such as from machinery or loud music, and some anitbiotics can damage the hair cells in the organ of the Corti, creating partial to complete deafness. other causes include brain tumors, strokes, infections, traumas, vascular disorders, and degenerative disease.

the surgical creation of a new opening in the labyrinth of the ear for restoration of hearing in otosclearosis

excision of the mastoid cells of the mastoid process

incision of the tympanic membrane; tympanotomy with placement of tubes to maintain drainage

plastic surgery on the eardrum (pinna)

excision of the stapes

plastic surgery on the eardrum

myringotomy; incision of the tympanic membrane

opening of passage in the ear

auris dextra, right ear

auris sinistra, left ear

aures unitas (both ears) or auris uterque (each ear)

a device for testing the hearing

person who performs hearing tests

pertaining to the ear; sense of hearing

a unit of measure of the intensity of sound

dogs trained to respond to sounds and alert the hearing-impaired person

an instrument used for inspecting the ear

examination of the ear by means of the otoscope

communication by means of manual signs and gestures

a noise (ringing) in the ears

a small metal instrument consisting of a stem and two prongs used to test hearing

a sensation of rotation or dizziness