Sense System - Medical Terminology

Accommodation—normal adjustment of the eye to focus on objects from far to near. T

he ciliary body adjusts the lens and the pupil constricts. When the eye focuses from near too far, the ciliary body flattens the lens and the pupil dilates

Acoustic neuroma—benign tumor arising from the acoustic vestibulocochlear nerve in the brain

Acoustic—relating to sound or hearing.

Amblyopia—it is unilateral or bilateral reduction of visual acuity. Early in life ocular misalignment, such as with strabismus, uncorrected errors of refraction, or other eye disorders, can lead to amblyopia also known as lazy eye

Anisocoria—Inequality of the pupils of the eye it may be an indication of neurologic injury or disease

Ankyloses—stiffening

Anterior chamber—area behind the cornea and in front of the lens and iris. It contains aqueous humor

Aphakia—absence of the lens of an eye, congenital or otherwise;this may congenital, but most often it is the result of extraction of a cataract (clouded lens) without placement of an artificial lens (pseudophakia)

Aqueous humor—fluid produced by the ciliary body and found in the anterior chamber. A humor is any body fluid, including blood and lymph

Astigmatism—defective curvature of the cornea or lens of the eye

Audiogram—graphic record of hearing ability for various sound frequencies

Audiologist—a health care professional specializing in the evaluation and rehabilitation of people with hearing loss

Audiometer—An electrical instrument for measuring the threshold of hearing for pure tones of normally audible frequencies generally varying from 200 to 8000 hertz and recorded in decibels.

Audiometry—testing the sense of hearing

Auditory canal—channel that leads from the pinna to the eardrum

Auditory meatus—auditory canal

Auditory nerve fibers—carry impulses and heard

Auditory/eustachian tube—channel between the middle ear and the nasopharynx; Eustachian tube. It is normally is closed but opens on swallowing.

Auditory—Relating to the sense of the organs of hearing

Aural—Relating to or perceived by the ear.

Biconvex—consisting of two surfaces that are rounded, elevated, and curved evenly, like part of a sphere, the lens of the eye is a biconvex body

Binocular vision—vision involving the use of both eyes

Blepharitis—inflammation of eyelid, causing redness, crusting and swelling along lid margins

Blepharitis—Inflammation of the eyelids

Blepharoptosis—this condition may be caused by abnormalities of the eyelid muscle or by nerve damage. Drooping of the upper eyelid

Cataract—clouding of the lens, causing decreased vision. It is a type of degenerative eye disease and is linked to the process of aging.

Cerumen—waxy substance secreted by external ear that protects and lubricates the ear. Also called earwax.

Chalazion—granuloma formed around an inflamed sebaceous gland

Chalazion—small, hard, cystic mass (granuloma) on the eyelid. They are formed as a result of chronic inflammation of a sebaceous gland along the margin of the eyelid.

Cholesteatoma—collection of skin cells and cholesterol in a sac within the middle ear. Cyst-like masses produce a foul-smelling discharge and are most often the result of chronic otits media.

Choroid—middle, vascular layer of the eye, between the retina and the sclera

Ciliary body—structure surrounding the outside the lens that connects the choroid and iris. It contains ciliary muscle, which control the shape of the lens, and it secretes aqueous humor

Cochlear implant procedure—surgical insertion of a device that allows sensorineural hearing-impaired persons to understand speech

Cochlear—Relating to the cochlea

Cochlea—the part of the labyrinth that leads from the oval window is a bony snail shell-shaped structure in the inner ear. It contains special auditory liquids called perilymph and endolymph through which the vibration travels. Organ of corti is also present in the cochlea. It also contain hearing-sensitive receptors cells

Cone—photoreceptor cell in the retina that transform light energy into a nerve impulse. Cones are responsible for color and central vision. The cones function in bright levels of light

Conjunctiva—delicate membrane lining the undersurface of the eyelids and covering the anterior eyeball

Conjunctivitis—Inflammation of the conjunctiva, characterized by redness and often accompanied by a discharge commonly called pinkeye. It occurs when blood vessels dilate from allergens like pollen (allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial infection (bacterial conjunctivitis) or virus (viral conjunctivitis)

Cornea—fibrous transparent layer of clear tissue that extends over the anterior portion of the eyeball.  It extends like a dome over the pupil and iris. Derived from Latin corneu, meaning horny, perhaps because it protrudes outward, it was thought to resemble a horn

Cornealabrasion—Corneal abrasion is a medical condition involving the loss of the surface epithelial layer of the eye's cornea.

Corneoscleral—Pertaining to the cornea and sclera.

Cycloplegic— Cycloplegia is paralysis of the ciliary muscle of the eye, resulting in a loss of accommodation. Cycloplegia with accompanying mydriasis (dilation of pupil) is usually due to topical application of muscarinic antagonists such as atropine and cyclopentolate.

Dacryoadenitis—Dacryoadenitis is inflammation of the lacrimal glands (the tear-producing glands).

Dacryocystitis—blockage, inflammation, and infection of a nasolacrimal duct and lacrimal sac, causing redness and swelling in the region between the nose and lower lid

Deafness—loss of the ability of hear. Nerve deafness (sensorineural hearing loss) results from impairment of the cochlea or auditory nerve. Conductive deafness results from impairment of the middle ear ossicles and membranes transmitting sound waves into the cochlea.

Diabeticretinopathy—retinal effects of diabetes mellitus include microaneurysms, hemorrhages, dilation of retinal veins, and neovascularization (new blood vessels form in the retina

Diplopia—The medical term for seeing double.

Drusen—tiny yellow dots on the retina that can be soft or hard and that usually do not interfere with vision.

Ear thermometry—measurement of the temperature of the tympanic membrane by detection of infrared radiation from the eardrum

Ear—sound waves are received by the outer ear, conducted to special receptor cells within the ear, and transmitted by those cells to nerve fibers that lead to the auditory region of the brain in the cerebral cortex. Sensations of sound are perceived within the nerve fibers of the cerebral cortex. The ear is an important organ of equilibrium (balance) as well as an organ for hearing.

Ectropion—outward sagging and eversion of the eyelid, leading to improper lacrimation and corneal and drying and ulceration

Endolymph—fluid within the labyrinth of the inner ear

Entropion—inversion of the eyelid, causing the lashes to rub against the eye; corneal abrasion may result

Enucleation—removal of the entire eyeball. It is necessary to treat tumors

Esotropia—cross-eye; deviation of the visual axis of one eye toward that of the other

Esotropia—one eye turns inward; cross-eyed

Exotropia—one eye turns outward; wall-eyed

External auditory meatus/Auditory canal—leads from pinna and is lined with numerous glands that secrete a yellowish brown, waxy substance called cerumen.

Floaters—black spots or filmy shapes

Fluorescein angiography—intravenous injection of fluorescein followed by serial photographs of the retina through dilated pupils. It provides diagnostic information about blood flow in the retina

Foveacentralis—tiny pit or depression in the retina that is the region of clearest vision which is composed of cones and is the location of the sharpest vision in the eye

from the inner ear to the brain. These fibers compose the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII)

Fundus of the eye—posterior, inner part of the eye

Glaucoma—increased intraocular pressure results in damage to the retina and optic nerve with loss of vision. The most common type is open-angle glaucoma

Glaucoma—mass of collection of fluid. The term comes from the dull gray-green colour of the affected eye in advanced cases

Hemianopsia—blindness in one half of the visual field of one or both eyes

Hemianopsia—Loss of vision in one half of the visual field of one or both eyes

Hordeolum(stye)—infection of a sebaceous gland producing a small, superficial white nodule along lid margin. Localized, purulent, inflammatory staphylococcal infection of sebaceous gland in the eyelid

Hyertropia—upward deviation of one eye

Hyperacusis—abnormally acute sensitivity to sounds

Hyperopia (hypermetropia)—farsightedness

Hyperopia—Hyperopia (farsightedness) is the condition of the eye where incoming rays of light reach the retina before they converge into a focused image.

Hypertensive retinopathy—lesion such as narrow of arterioles, microneurysms, hemorrhages and exudates are found on examination of the fundus

Hypotropia—Downward deviation of one eye

Incus—second ossicle of the middle ear; incus means anvil

Inner ear—sound vibration, having been transmitted by the movement of the eardrum to the bones of the middle ear, reach the inner ear via the fluctuations of the oval window that separates the middle ear and inner ears. It is also called labyrinth, because of its circular maze-like structure

Intraocular—Situated or occurring within the eyeball

Iridectomy—a portion of the iris is removed to improve drainage of aqueous humor or to extract a foreign body

Iridic—relating to the iris of the eye

Iris—pigmented (colored) layer that opens and closes to allow more or less light into the eye. The central opening of the iris is the pupil

Iritis—characterized by pain, sensitivity to light, and lacrimation. A corticosteroid is prescribed to reduce inflammation. Uveitis is, broadly, inflammation of the uvea. The uvea consists of the middle, pigmented, vascular structures of the eye and includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Uveitis requires an urgent referral and thorough examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist—and urgent treatment to control the inflammation.

Keratitis—Keratitis is a condition in which the eye's cornea, the front part of the eye, becomes inflamed. The condition is often marked by moderate to intense pain and usually involves impaired eyesight. May cause feelings of scratching each time individual blinks eye

Keratoplasty—surgical repair of the cornea. Also known as corneal transplant.

Labyrinth—maze-like series of canals of the inner ear. This includes cochlea, vestibule and semicircular canals

Lacrimal—relating to, or constituting the glands that produce tears

Lacrimation—Secretion of tears, especially in excess

Laserphotocoagulation—intense, precisely focused light beam (argon laser) creates an inflammatory reaction that seals retinal tears and leaky retinal blood vessels

LASIK—use of an excimer laser to correct errors of refraction

Lens—transparents, biconvex body behind the pupil of the eye. It bends refracts light rays to bring them into focus on the retina

Macrotia—abnormally large ears; congenital anomaly

Macular degeneration—progressive damage to the macula of the retina

Macula—small, oval and yellowish region on the retina lateral to and slightly below the optic disc; contains the fovea centralis, which is the area of clearest vision

Malleus—first ossicle of the middle ear; it means hammer

Mastoiditis—the mastoid process is the posterior portion of the temporal bone extending downward behind the external auditory meatus. Mastoiditis, caused by bacterial infection, spreads from the middle ear

Meniere disease—disorder of the labyrinth of the inner ear; elevated endolymph pressure within the cochlea and semicircular canals

Miosis—contraction of the pupil. A miotic is a drug such as pilocarpine that causes the pupil to contract

Mydriasis—enlargement of pupils. Tropocamide, atropine and cocaine cause dilation or enlargement of pupils

Myopia—nearsightedness

Myringitis—Inflammation of the tympanic membrane. Also called tympanitis

Myringotomy—Surgical puncture of the tympanic membrane, as for the removal of fluid or the drainage of pus. Also called tympanostomy, tympanotomy.

Nyctalopia—blindness. Night blindness is poor vision at night but good vision on bright days. Deficiency of vitamin A leads to nyctalopia

Nystagmus—repetitive rhythmic movement of one or both eyes. Brain tumors of the inner may cause this

Olfactory region—centers of smell in the nose

open-angle glaucoma—Primary glaucoma in which the aqueous humor has free access to the trabecular reticulum. Also called simple glaucoma.

Ophthalmic—relating to the eye; ocular

Ophthalmologist—medical doctor who specializes in treating disorder of the eye

Ophthalmoplegia—paralysis of the motor nerves of the eye

Ophthalmoscopy—visual examination of the interior of the eye

Optic chiasm—point at which optic nerve fibers cross in the brain

Optic disc—region at the back of the eye where the optic nerve meets the retina. It is blind spot of the eye because it contains only nerve fibers, no rods or cones, and is thus insensitive to light

Optic nerve—cranial nerve carrying impulses from the retina to the brain (cerebral cortex)

Optic tract—the cranial nerve that serves the retina

Optician—nonmedical professional who grinds lenses and fits glasses but cannot prescribe lenses

Optic—relating to the eye or vision

Optometrist—nonmedical professional who can examine eyes to determine vision problems and prescribe lenses, a doctor of optometry (OD)

Organ of corti—in organ of corti, tiny hair cells receive vibrations from the auditory liquids and replay the sound waves to auditory nerve fibers. Sensitive auditory receptor area found in the cochlea of the inner ear

Ossicles—as the ear drum vibrates, it move the three bones that conduct the sound wave through the middle ear. These bones are malleus, incus and stapes

Ossiculoplasty—to reconstruct the ossicles within the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes - see right diagram). These types of patients have a type of hearing loss known as conductive hearing loss.

Otic—Pertaining to the ear

Otitis media—inflammation of the middle ear.

Otolaryngologist—a medical doctor specializing in the ear, nose and throat

Otomycosis—fungal infection of the external auditory canal.

Otopyorrhea—chronic otitis media resulting in perforation of the eardrum and a purulent discharge

Otosclerosis—hardening of the bony tissue of the middle ear

Otoscopy—visual examination of the ear canal with an otoscope

Outer ear—auricle/pinna—projection part or flap, of the outer ear. The protruding part of the external ear or pinna. Sound waves enter the ear through pinna or auricle

Ovalwindow—membrane between the middle ear and the inner ear

Palpebral—relating to the eyelid

Papilledema—swelling of the optic disc (where the optic nerve enters the eyeball); usually associated with an increase in intraocular pressure;this condition is associated with increased intracranial pressure and hyperemia in the region of the optic disc

Perilymph—fluid contained in the labyrinth of the inner ear

Phacoemulsification—technique of cataract extraction using ultrasonic vibrations to fragment the lens and aspirate it from the eye

Phacoemulsification—ultrasonic vibrations break up the lens, which then is aspired through the ultrasonic probe

Photophobia—abnormal visual intolerance to light

Pneumatic retinopexy—a treatment for retinal detachment involving injection of gas into the posterior vitreous cavity in such a way that the gas bubble presses against the area of torn retina, forcing it back into place.

Postauricular—located or performed behind the auricle of the ear

Presbycusis—this type of nerve deafness occurs with the process of aging

Presbyopia—impairment of vision as a result of old age

Prosthesis—artificial part

Ptosis—drooping of upper lid margin as a result of neuromuscular problems or trauma

Ptotopsia—bright flashes of light

Pupil—central opening of the eye, surrounded by the iris, through which light rays pass. It appears dark

Pupillary—the apparently black circular opening in the center of the iris of the eye, through which light passes to the retina

Refraction—bending of light rays by the cornea, lens, and fluids of the eye to bring the rays into focus on the retina. Refract means to break back

Refract—the function of the cornea is to bend or refract

Regions of ears—outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The outer an middle ears functions in the conduction of sound waves through the ear, and the inner ear contains structures that receive the auditory waves and relay them to the brain

Retinal detachment—two layers of the retina separate from each other

Retina—thin, delicate and sensitive nerve layer of the eye. Light-sensitive nerve cell layer of the eye containing photoreceptors cells (rods and cones)

Retinitis—retinitis pigmintosa is a genetic disorder that destroys retinal rods. Decreased vision and night blindness (nyctalopia) occur

Rods—photoreceptor cell of the retina essential for vision in dim light and for peripheral vision

Salpingopharyngeal—pertaining to the auditory tube and the pharynx

Scleral buckle—A scleral buckle is one of several ophthalmologic procedures that can be used to repair a retinal detachment. Retinal detachments are usually caused by retinal tears, and a scleral buckle can be used to close the retinal break.

Scleral buckle—suture of a silicone band to the sclera over a detached portion of the retina

Sclera—tough, white outer coat of the eyeball

Scleritis—inflammation of the sclera; it may involve the part adjoining the limbus of the cornea (anterior s) or the underlying retina and choroid (posterior s.)

Sctoma—area of decreased vision surrounded by an area of normal vision; a blind spot. This can result from damage to the retina or the optic nerve

Semicircular canals—contains two membranous sacs called the saccule and the utricle contain a fluid, endolymph as well as sensitive hair cells. In intricate manner, the fluid and hair cells fluctuate in response to the movement of the head. Passages in the inner ear associated with maintain equilibrium

Sense organs—eye and the ear, like the skin, taste buds, and olfactory region. No matter stimulates affects a particular receptor, the resulting sensation is determined by regions in the brain connected to that receptor.

Serous otitis media—noninfectious inflammation with accumulation of the serous fluid

Slit lamp microscopy—examination of anterior ocular structure under microscopic magnification

Stapedectomy—after stapedectomy a prosthetic device is used to connect the incus and the oval window

Stapes—third ossicle of the middle ear, it means stirrup

Strabismus—abnormal deviation of the eye. A failure of the eyes to look in the same direction because of weakness of a muscle controlling the position of one eye. Different forms include, esotropia, exotropia, hypertropia and hypotropia

Thalamus—replay center of the brain. Optic nerve fibers pass through the thalamus on their way to the cerebral cortex

Tinnitus—ringing in the ears

Tinnitus—sensation of the noises (ringing, buzzing, whistling, booming) in the ears

Tonometry—measurement of tension or pressure, particularly intraocular pressure

Trabeculoplasty—Laser surgery that creates perforations in the trabeculum, to drain built up aqueous humor and relieve pressure

Tuning fork test—test of ear conduction using a vibration source. Rinne tests, the examiner places the base of the vibrating fork, against the patient’s mastoid bone (bone conduction), and in front of the auditory meatus (air conduction). In weber test, the tuning fork is placed on the center of the forehead. The loudness of sound is equal in both ears if hearing is normal

Tympanic membrane/eardrum—membrane between the outer and the middle ear

Tympanoplasty—surgical reconstruction of the bones of the middle ear with reconnection of the eardrum to the oval window

Uvea— the choroid iris, and ciliary body are known as the uvea of the eye

Uveitis—Uveitis is an inflammation of the uveal tract, which lines the inside of the eye behind the cornea. Much of the uvea lies between the retina and tough, outer sclera.

Vertigo—dizziness

Vertigo—sensation of irregular or whistling either of oneself or of external objects

Vestibule—connects the cochlea (for hearing) to three semicircular canals for (balance). Central cavity of the labyrinth. It contains two structures, the saccule and utricle that help to maintain equilibrium

Vestibulocochlear—pertaining to the eighth cranial nerve. Relating to the vestibule and the cochlea of the ear.

Visual Acuity test—clarity of vision is assessed. A patient from a Snellen chart at 20 feet

Visual field test—measurement of the area within which objects are seen when the eyes are fixed, looking straight ahead without movement of the head

Vitrectomy—removal of the vitreous humor

Vitreous chamber—cavity of an eye, which is a large region behind the lens

Vitreous humor—soft, jelly-like material behind the lens in the vitreous chamber; helps maintain the shape of the eyeball. It maintains the shape of the eyeball and is not constantly re-formed.

Xanthelasma—raised yellowish plaque on eyelid caused by lipid disorder

Xerophthalmia—abnormal dryness and thickening of the conjunctiva and cornea due to vitamin A deficiency.