| A | B |
|---|
| Annulus | outer fibrous rim encircling the eardrum |
| Atresia | congenital absence or closure of ear canal |
| Cerumen | yellow waxy material that lubricates and protects the ear canal |
| Cochlea | inner ear structure containing the central hearing apparatus |
| Eustachian Tube | connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx and allows passage of air |
| Umbo | knob of the malleus that shows through the tympanic membrane |
| Tympanic Membrane (TM) | “eardrum” – a thin, translucent membrane that stretches across the ear canal separating the middle ear from the outer ear. |
| Tinnitus | ringing or buzzing in the ears |
| Pars tensa | thick, taut, central/inferior section of the tympanic membrane |
| Pars flaccida | small, slack, superior section of the tympanic membrane |
| Vertigo | a spinning, twirling sensation |
| Otorrhea | discharge from the ear |
| Otitis media | inflammation of the middle ear and tympanic membrane |
| Otitis externa | inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal (“Swimmer’s Ear”) |
| Otalgia | pain in the ear |
| Mastoid | bony prominence of the skull located just behind the ear |
| Helix | coiled superior/posterior free rim of the pinna |
| Pinna | auricle or outer ear |
| Organ or Corti | sensory organ of hearing |
| Incus | middle of the 3 ossicles of the middle ear |
| Malleus | first of the 3 ossicles of the middle ear |
| Stapes | inner of the 3 ossicles of the middle ear |
| Cone of Light | reflection of light from otoscope. Normal position is at 5:00 for right TM and 7:00 for left TM. |
| Whisper Test | a test of high–tone loss (A whisper is a high-frequency sound) |
| Tuning Fork Tests | measures hearing by air conduction (AC) or by bone conduction (BC) |
| Romberg Test | a test of balance (assesses intactness of vestibular apparatus in inner ear as well as some neurological system components) |
| Insufflation | method of testing TM mobility by puffing air via a pneumatic bulb |
| Retracted TM | occurs as obstructed Eustachian tube prevents passage of air from nasopharynx and air within the “closed off” middle ear is absorbed |
| Serous Otitis Media | fluid collects in middle ear (transudates) in response to negative pressure that occurs secondary to blocked Eustachian tube |
| Low-set ears | abnormality may signify mental retardation or a genitourinary malformation |
| Tympanostomy Tubes | tubes inserted into TM to equalize pressure and drain secretions |
| Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) | infection of the nose, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and other upper respiratory structures (e.g., common cold) |
| Presbycusis | gradual high-tone frequency hearing loss that occurs with aging (will often be detected through failed whisper test) |
| Second hand smoke and propped bottles | common causes of otitis media |
| Positioning of pinna for examination of adult or child older than 3 years | pull up and back to straighten ear canal |
| Positioning of pinna for examination of child younger than 3 years | pull pinna straight down |
| Methods to test hearing of infants | making loud noises while out of sight |
