Questions and Answers
What is the external ear also known as?
What does the auricle or pinna consist of?
Moveable cartilage and skin
What is the function of the external auditory canal?
Transmits sound waves from the pinna to the tympanic membrane of the middle ear
What is another name for the tympanic membrane?
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What lines the external auditory canal?
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What function does earwax serve?
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What separates the external ear from the middle ear?
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What are the three tiny bones in the middle ear called?
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The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the ______.
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The middle ear has three functions: conducting sound, protecting the inner ear, and allowing equalization of air pressure.
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What is presbycusis?
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Match the following ear conditions with their definitions:
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The sensation of dizziness is called ______.
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Acute otitis media is most commonly seen in young children.
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What is impacted cerumen?
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What does a blue drum (hemotympanum) indicate?
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What are signs of chronic ear problems?
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What does a scarred drum indicate?
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What is otorrhea?
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Surgical insertion of tympanostomy tubes can help relieve middle ear pressure.
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Study Notes
Anatomy and Function of the Ear
- Auricle (Pinna): The external part of the ear, composed of movable cartilage and skin.
- External Auditory Canal: Channel transmitting sound waves from the pinna to the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
- Tympanic Membrane (TM): Thin membrane separating the external ear from the middle ear; tilts obliquely to the ear canal.
- Glands in Canal: Secrete cerumen (earwax) for lubrication and protection against microbes.
Middle Ear Anatomy
- Auditory Ossicles: Three tiny bones (malleus/hammer, incus/anvil, stapes/stirrup) that amplify sound vibrations and transmit them to the cochlea.
- Eustachian Tube: Connects the middle ear to the throat, balancing air pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane.
Inner Ear Structure
- Cochlea: A coiled, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear responsible for converting sound waves into nerve impulses.
- Organ of Corti: Contains hair cells that detect fluid movement within the cochlea, essential for hearing.
Hearing Loss
- Conductive Hearing Loss: Results from damage to outer/middle ear structures affecting sound transmission.
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Caused by damage to the cochlea's receptor cells or auditory nerves, often termed nerve deafness.
- Mixed Loss: A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Ear Conditions
- Otitis Media: Inflammation of the middle ear, commonly resulting from upper respiratory infections.
- Cholesteatoma: A growth of skin cells and cholesterol in the middle ear that may lead to chronic infections.
- Otosclerosis: Hardening of the bony tissue of the middle ear, potentially affecting hearing.
Symptoms and Assessments
- Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing in the ears, often indicative of underlying issues.
- Otorrhea: Ear discharge, often a sign of infection or perforation.
- External Otitis (Swimmer's Ear): Inflammation of the outer ear, marked by discharge.
Pediatric Considerations
- Children's ear infections can lead to hearing deficits if recurrent; exposure to maternal rubella or trauma at birth is a risk factor.
Diagnostic Techniques
- Otoscopy: Examination of the ear using an otoscope to assess the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane.
- Tympanometry: Used to evaluate the motion of the tympanic membrane and pressure in the middle ear.
Hearing Pathway
- The pathway includes the ear canal, tympanic membrane, ossicles, oval window, cochlear fluid, hair cells, and auditory nerve, culminating in the brainstem processing sound.
Trauma and Injuries
- Hemotympanum: Presence of blood in the middle ear due to trauma.
- Perforation: A hole in the tympanic membrane, often resulting from infection or injury.
Changes with Age
- Presbycusis: Age-related hearing loss that tends to affect men more than women, often linked to previous exposure to loud noises.
Common Ear Symptoms
- Vertigo: A sensation of dizziness; can be subjective (feels like self-spinning) or objective (feels like surroundings are spinning).
- Acute Otitis Media: Characterized by fluid accumulation and inflammation, commonly seen in young children.
Environmental Risk Factors
- Has implications on hearing health, including exposure to smoke which may increase the risk of otitis media.
Otological Terms
- Microtia: Abnormally small ears.
- Macrotia: Abnormally large ears.
- Cerumen: Naturally occurring earwax that can protect against infections.
This study guide encompasses the essential aspects of ear anatomy, function, common conditions, and associated symptoms, providing a comprehensive review of knowledge necessary for understanding ear health and diseases.
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Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the ear with these flashcards from Chapter 26. Each card provides key terms and definitions related to the structure and function of the ear. Get ready to enhance your understanding of auditory structures!
