Anatomy of the Ear
Three smallest bones of the body that assist in the transmission of sound.
What are the ossicles?
A surgical procedure that shunts fluid to equalize pressure in the endolymphatic space.
What is endolymphatic sac decompression?
The surgical reconstruction of the middle ear bones to restore hearing with prostheses.
What is ossiculoplasty?
A rare and serious external ear infection usually caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Can lead to death if not treated.
What is malignant external otitis?
This class of drugs increase aqueous fluid outflow by contracting the ciliary muscle, causing miosis.
What are cholinergics?
Connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx.
What is the eustachian tube?
A surgical procedure that cuts the nerve that communicates information from the semicircular canals of the ear to eliminate vertigo.
What is vestibular nerve sectioning?
The surgical removal of the cholesteatoma to remove diseased structures and create a dry and healthy ear.
What is mastoidectomy?
Often caused by a dermatosis like psoriasis, eczema, or seborrheic dermatitis.
What is external otitis (aka otitis externa)?
Prolonged use of this class of drugs can cause glaucoma, cataracts, and increase risk of infection.
What are corticosteroids?
Collects the sound waves and directs vibrations into the external auditory canal.
What is the external auricle?
Meniere's disease typically presents with this triad of symptoms.
What is episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss?
Surgical reconstructs the eardrum; the most common procedure to treat chronic otitis media.
What is tympanoplasty?
incapacitating but brief episodes of vertigo that occur when the position of the patient’s head is changed with respect to gravity.
What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?
This class of drugs decrease aqueous humor production and are a first line drug for glaucoma.
What are beta-blockers?
The cochlea and semicircular canals are housed here.
What is the bony labyrinth?
Many patients can manage symptoms with this dietary change.
What is limit foods high in salt and sugar (2,000mg of Na or less per day)?
Identified as a white mass behind the tympanic membrane.
What is a cholesteatoma?
These medicinal patches antagonize the histamine response when placed on the skin for treating motion sickness.
What are scopolomine patches?
This myotic drug causes pupillary constriction, allowing aqueous fluid to escape, and is a 2nd line treatment for open angle glaucoma
What is pilocarpine?
This measures about 1 cm in diameter and is very thin, and normally looks pearly gray and translucent.
What is the tympanic membrane (aka eardrum)?
An antihistamine used to shorten the duration of vertigo attacks.
What is meclizine?
Free Space
Free Space
Prolonged exposure to water in the ear canal (commonly know as swimmer’s ear) can cause this.
What is external otitis?
This class of drugs dilate the pupil and are contraindicated for use in patients with glaucoma.
What are mydriatic drugs?