Medical Terminology - Ear

hearing

air or gas

ear

wax

eustachian tube or uterine tube

eardrum

hearing condition

outer structures of the ear that collect sound

auricle (little ear); projected part of the external ear

external passage for sounds collected from the pinna to the tympanum

a waxy substance secreted by glands located throughout the external canal

structures in the middle of the ear that vibrate sound from the tympanic membrane in the inner ear

eardrum; drum-like structure that receives sounds collected in the external auditory canal and amplifies it through the middle ear

hammer; first of the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear

anvil; second of the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear

stirrup; last of the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear

tube connecting the middle ear to the pharynx (throat)

membrane that covers the opening between the middle ear and inner ear

intricate, fluid-filled, intercommunicating bony and membranous passages that function in hearing by relaying sounds waves to auditory nerve fibers on a path to the brain for interpretation; also senses body movement and position to maintain balance and equilibrium

coiled tubular structure of the inner ear that contains the organ of Corti

fluid that fills the bony labyrinth of the inner ear

fluid within the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear

structure located in the cochlea; contains receptors that receive vibrations and generate nerve impulses for hearing

middle part of the inner ear; in front of the semicircular canals and behind the cochlea. it contains the utricle and the saccule which functions to provide the body with balance and equilibrium

the larger of the two sacs within the membranous labyrinth of the vestibule in the inner ear

the smaller of the two sacs within the membranous labyrinth of the vestibule in the inner ear

three canals within the inner ear that contain specialized receptor cells that generate nerve impulses with body movement

earache

bleeding from the ear

purulent drainage from the ear

a jingling; a ringing or buzzing in the ear

a turning round; dizziness

inflammation of the external auditory meatus (canal)

excessive build up of wax in the ear that often reduces hearing acuity, especially in elderly persons

inflammation of the eardrum

inflammation of the middle ear

inflammation of the middle ear from changes in atmospheric pressure; often occurs with frequent air travel

blockage of the eustachian tube, usually as a result of infection, as in otitis media

hardening of the bony tissue in the ear

benign tumor on the auditory nerve that causes vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss

inflammation of the labyrinth (inner ear)

disorder of the inner ear resulting from excessive buildup of endolymphatic fluid, causing episodes of vertigo, tinnitis, nausea, vomiting, and hearing loss

general term for partial or complete loss of hearing

hearing impairment caused by interference with sound or vibratory energy in the external canal, middle ear, or ossicles.

any internal or external device that improves or substitutes for natural hearing

an external amplifying device designed to improve hearing by more effective collection of sound into the ear

an electronic device implanted in the cochlea that provides sound perception to patients with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears

irrigation of the external ear canal, often to remove excessive build up of cerumen

introduction of a medicated solution into the external canal, usually administered by drops into the affected ear

a drug that inhibits the growth or destroys microorganisms; used to treat diseases caused by bacteria

a drug that blocks the effects of histamine

a regulatory body substance released in allergic reactions. causing swelling and inflammation of tissues; seen in hay fever and urticaria