Chapter 14: Special Senses: Eyes and Ears Pathology Terms

Question 1

amblyopia

Answer 1

disorder in which the brain disregards images from the weaker eye and relies on those from the stronger eye; sometimes called lazy eye

Question 2

astigmatism

Answer 2

abnormal curvature of the cornea that distorts the visual image

Question 3

blepharitis

Answer 3

noncontagious inflammation of the eyelash follicles and tiny oil glands along the margins of the eyelids

Question 4

cataract

Answer 4

cloudiness of the lens due to protein deposits as a result of aging, disease, or trauma or as a side effect of tobacco use or certain medications

Question 5

central scotoma

Answer 5

blind spot in the center of the visual field surrounded by an area of normal vision

Question 6

chalazion

Answer 6

small benign cyst on the eyelid formed by the distension of a meibomian gland (sebaceous gland of the eye) with secretions

Question 7

conjunctivitis

Answer 7

inflammation of hte conjunctiva; also called pinkeye

Question 8

diabetic retinopathy

Answer 8

progressive damage to microscopic vessels and other structures of the retina in patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus, which may result in blindness

Question 9

ectropion

Answer 9

condition in which the lower eyelid is turned outward and droops more with aging

Question 10

entropion

Answer 10

condition in which the eyelid edges are turned inward and rub against the surface of the eye

Question 11

glaucoma (acute)

Answer 11

type of glaucoma in which a sudden blockage of aqueous-humor outflow causes a rapid increase in intraocular pressure; can cause vision loss, also called closed-angle glaucoma

Question 12

glaucoma (chronic)

Answer 12

type of glaucoma in which the aqueous humor drains too slowly, leading to increasing intraocular pressure; can cause vision loss; also called primary open-angle glaucoma

Question 13

hordeolum

Answer 13

infection of a sebaceous gland of the eyelid; also called a stye

Question 14

hyperopia

Answer 14

vision defect in which parallel rays ofcus behind the retina as a result of flattening of the globe of the eye or of an error in refraction; commonly called farsightedness

Question 15

hypertensive retinopathy

Answer 15

destructive retinal changes caused by hypertension

Question 16

keratitis

Answer 16

inflammation of the cornea, usually associated with decreased visual acuity, which may, if untreated, result in blindness

Question 17

legal blindness

Answer 17

loss in visual acuity that prevents a person from performing work requiring eyesight; defined as corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less or a visual field of 20 degrees or less in the better eye

Question 18

macular degeneration

Answer 18

macular deterioration resulting in central vision loss, categorized as either atrophic (dry) or exudative (wet)

Question 19

myopia

Answer 19

error of refraction in which light rays focus in front of the retina, enabling a person to see distinctly for only a short distance; commonly called nearsightedness

Question 20

nystagmus

Answer 20

involuntary back-and-forth or cyclical movements of the eyes

Question 21

ophthalmology

Answer 21

study of the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye

Question 22

presbyopia

Answer 22

permanent loss of accommodation of the lens of the eye that occurs as people enter their 40s, causing a marked inability to maintain focus on near objects

Question 23

retinal detachment

Answer 23

separation of the inner sensory layer of the retina from the outer pigment layer, caused by a break in the inner layer that permits vitreous fluid to leak under the retina and lift off its innermost layer; may cause blindness

Question 24

strabismus

Answer 24

deviation or misalignment of eyes that may adversely affect depth perception; types include exotropia (eyes turned outward), esotropia (eyes turned inward), hypertropia (eyes turned upward), and hypotropia (eyes turned downward)

Question 25

uveitis

Answer 25

nonspecific term for any intraocular inflammatory disorder, which may affect the iris, ciliary body, choroid, or other parts of the eye

Question 26

anacusis

Answer 26

total deafness

Question 27

cholesteatoma

Answer 27

condition in which a cyst develops in the middle ear

Question 28

labyrinthitis

Answer 28

inflammation of the labyrinth within the inner ear; also called otitis interna

Question 29

Ménière disease

Answer 29

chronic, noncontagious disorder of the labyrinth that leads to progressive hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus; also called labyrinthine hydrops

Question 30

otitis externa

Answer 30

acute inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal; also called swimmer’s ear

Question 31

otitis media

Answer 31

inflammation or infection of the middle ear

Question 32

otosclerosis

Answer 32

chronic progressive deafness caused by spongy bone formation around the oval window with resulting ankylosis of the stapes

Question 33

presbycusis

Answer 33

progressive hearing loss with aging

Question 34

tinnitus

Answer 34

perception of ringing, buzzing, tinkling, or hissing sound in the ear

Question 35

vertigo

Answer 35

feeling of spinning or moving in space