Chapter 15 Flashcards
(163 cards)
Ears, nose and throat
Interrelated group of anatomic structures of the ears, most, and throat, located in the head and neck, that are considered together for medical specialty of otolaryngology.
Auricle
The visible external ear. Also known as the pinna
Cerumen
Waxy, sticky substance secreted by glands in the external auditory canal. It traps dirt and has an antibiotic action against microorganism.
External auditory canal
Passageway from the external ear to the tympanic membrane. It contains glands that secrete cerumen. The external auditory meatus is the opening to the external auditory canal.
External ear
First part of the ear. It consists of the visible external structures of the auricle (pinna), helix, tragus, external auditory meatus, external auditory canal, and the bony mastoid process behind the ear.
The external ear also includes the tympanic membrane at the end of the external auditory canal.
Helix
Outer rim of tissue and cartilage that forms the C shape of the external ear and ends at the earlobe.
Mastoid process
Bony projection of the temporal bone behind the external ear. It contains air cells that connect to the middle ear and to the Eustachian tube.
Tragus
Triangular cartilage anterior to the external auditory meatus.
Tympanic membrane
Thin, pearly gray membrane at the end of the external auditory canal. It divides the external ear from the middle ear. Also known as the eardrum.
Eustachian tube
Tube that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx to allow air pressure in the middle ear and mastoid air cells to equalized with air pressure in the nose, throat, and outside of the body.
Incus
Second bone of the middle ear. It is connected to the malleus on one end and to the stapes on the other end. Also known as the anvil because of its shape.
Malleus
First bone of the middle ear. It is connected to the tympanic membrane on one end and to the incus on the other end. Also known as the hammer because of its shape.
Middle ear
Second part of the ear. It is a cavity (hollow area) in the temporal bone that contains the malleus, incus, and stapes bones. The middle ear is connected to the air cells of the mastoid process and to the nasopharynx by the Eustachian tube.
Ossicles
The three tiny bones of the middle ear: malleus, incus and stapes. These bones are connected to each other to form the ossicular chain.
Stapes
Third bone of the middle ear. It is connected to the incus on one end and fits into the membrane-covered opening of the oval window on the other end. Also known as the stirrup because of its shape.
Cochlea
Spiral-shaped structure that sends sensory information to the brain about sound waves that enter the ear.
Inner ear
Third part of the ear. It is a cavity that contains the vestibule, semicircular canals, and cochlea, as well as the oval window and round window in the temporal bone between the middle and inner ear.
Labyrinth
All of the structures of the inner ear
Oval window
Small, membrane-covered opening in the temporal bone between the middle ear and inner ear. It is connected to the stapes of the middle ear.
Round window
Small, membrane-covered opening in the temporal bone between the middle ear and inner ear
Semicircular Canals
Three separate but intertwined fluid-filled canals in the inner ear that are each oriented in a different plane (horizontally, vertically, and obliquely). They send sensory information to the brain about the position of the head.
Vestibule
Fluid-filled structure at the entrance to the inner ear. The superior part of the vestibule becomes the semicircular canals, and the inferior part becomes the cochlea.
The vestibules has two small, membrane-covered openings in its bony wall: The oval window and round window.
Ala
Flared cartilage on the side of the nostril
Mucosa
Mucous membrane lining in the nasal cavity. It covers the turbinates and produces mucus that gives warmth and moisture to the air and traps foreign particles.