InterActive Medical Terminology

Based on the best selling text: An Introduction to Medical Terminology for Health Care (Fifth edition) by A.R.Hutton published by Elsevier Ltd

Unit 10:The Ear

The interactive learning material in this unit is arranged into five sections. Click or tap on a section and scroll down the page completing the exercises in the sequence they are presented:

• Section 1: Introduction
• Section 2: The ear
• Section 3: The middle ear and ear ossicles
• Section 4: The inner ear
• Section 5: Self-assessment

Note: FlashCards and a check list of combining forms for this unit are at the end of Section 4.

A short list of abbreviations, pathological conditions, clinical procedures and laboratory tests associated with the ear is available from the:Word Check

Section 1: Introduction

The ear is a major sense organ concerned with two important functions, hearing and balance. It is divided into:

• The outer or external ear
• The middle ear or tympanic cavity
• The inner ear

Section 2: The Ear

First examine Anatomy Exercise 1 to see the position of the regions and components of the ear:

Anatomy Exercise 1

The study of the ear is called otology and disorders and diseases of the ear are dealt with by a consultant otologist. Our first two roots refer to the ear in general:

Infection and inflammation (otitis) can occur in any of the main areas of the ear. The following terms are used to describe the position of the inflammation:

Otitis externa   (in the external ear)
Otitis media     (in the middle ear)
Otitis interna    (in the inner ear)

The external ear ear is examined with an otoscope also known as an auriscope, as shown in Figure 1.

Fig.1


 

The External Ear

Sound waves collected by the visible part of the ear known as the ear auricle or pinna enter the external acoustic canal and vibrate the eardrum (tympanic membrane).

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