184 terms


Aerodigestive tract
Medical term for the throat.
Cessation of breathing.
Inferior tracheal cartilage that projects from the tracheal cartilage and bifurcates into the two primary bronchi.
Dynamic equilibrium
The ability of the individual to adjust to displacements of the center of gravity of the body.
The small cartilaginous structure that acts like a lid and closes the passageway to the larynx to prevent food from entering trachea during the act of swallowing.
Small opening between the true vocal cords.
Tympanic membrane.
Sense of smell.
Pertaining to the oral cavity and pharynx.
Pharyngotympanic tube
Open tube that links the middle ear to the nasopharynx; it releases pressure pushing against the tympanic membrane and allows the membrane to vibrate.
Growth that protrudes from a mucous membrane; often precancerous growths.
Diagnostic test which physiological variables are measured and recorded during sleep.
Submucous resection - surgical procedure done to restore normal breathing.
Tonsil and adenoidectomy - surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty - surgical procedure to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
What are the three main regions of the ear?
Outer, middle, and inner ear.
Outer ear
Tympanic membrane
Middle ear
Malleus (hammer)
Incus (anvil)
Stapes (stirrup)
Mastoid sinus
Inner ear
The part of the vertebrate ear concerned with labyrinthine sense and sound reception; consists generally of a bony and a membranous labyrinth, made up of the vestibular apparatus, three semicircular canals, and the cochlea. Also known as internal ear and is innervated by the eighth cranial nerve in all vertebrates.
Bony labyrinth
A cavity within the temporal bone, divided into three parts: Vestibule, semicircular canals, and the cochlea.
Semicircular canals
Membranous labyrinth
Semicircular ducts
Any reduction of hearing, no matter how slight.
Conduction-type deafness
Sensorineural deafness
Central deafness
Involves the acoustic center of the cerebral cortex.
Mixed-type deafness
Involves both the conduction system and the nervous system. Generally, only the conduction portion of this condition is treatable.
Functional deafness
Said to be of psychogenic nature. No conduction or nerve problem can be identified. Sometimes this condition is referred to as "selective" deafness.
Congenital deafness
Present at the time of birth. This can be hereditary or due to the mother's exposure to disease (such as rubella) or toxic drugs during pregnancy.
Neonatal deafness
Occurs at the time of birth or shortly afterward. Prematurity, trauma, or Rh incompatibility can cause it.
What are the two common causes of obstruction in the ear?
excess earwax and the presence of a foreign body.
Otitis externia
Provides direct vision into the ear canal.
Otitis media
Occurs when there is a bony overgrowth of the stapes. Eventually the footplate of the stapes becomes fixed for the oval window, preventing the normal sound vibrations from entering the inner ear. This progressive disease is hereditary affecting women more commonly than men.
An incision into the tympanic membrane for removing accumulated fluid which is often seen with otitis media. This procedure is often accompanied with the placement of tubes.
Is a type of tympanoplasty. Tympanoplasty is employed as a solution to a variety of conditions affecting the tympanic membrane and the ossicular chain. There are five classifications for tympanoplasty which are determined by the extent of damage to the eardrum and the middle ear.
Type 1
The damage is limited to the tympanic membrane, All content of the middle ear are intact.
Type 2
The destructive process extends beyond the damaged tympanic membrane to include the malleus.
Type 3
In addition to the damaged tympanic membrane, both the malleus and incus have been affected,
Type 4
All of the ossicles are affected, In addition to the perforated tympanum. The only natural structure of the middle ear is the intact and mobile footplate of the stapes,
Type 5
This situation is similar to type 4 with one exception. The remaining footplate of the stapes is fixed. All ossicles are completely removed.
Is the removal of the bony partitions that form the mastoid air cells. There are 3 types: Simple, modified, and radical mastoidectomy.
Simple mastoidectomy
The removal of the mastoid air cells only.
Modified mastoidectomy
The removal of the posterior and superior walls of the external auditory canal, as well as the eradication of the mastoid air cells. The middle ear remains intact.
Radical mastoidectomy
The removal of the mastoid air cells, as well as the tympanic membrane and the malleus and incus. The middle ear and mastoid cavity are combined. The stapes remains in place; it is usually covered by a temporalis fascia graft.
Iris scissors
Farrior ear specula
Buck ear curettes
Adson bayonet dressing forcepts
Sexton ear knife
Fraizer-Ferguson suction tip
Baron suction tip
House alligator ear forceps
Cochlear implants
External nose
Internal nose
The nasal cavity is the interior chamber of the nose and is lined with mucous membrane. It's two outside openings or nostrils are referred to as the external nares. The internal nares are the openings from the nasal cavity into the pharynx, The hard and soft palate, respectively, form the anterior and posterior floor of the nasal cavity, The ending of the soft palate is the uvula.
The nasal cavity is divided into______chambers.
Paranasal sinuses
A series of ducts called ostia lead to the paranasal sinuses which are air cavities in the bone surrounding the nasal cavity. The sinuses are lined with mucous membrane that is contiguous with the lining of the nasal cavities. There are 4 pairs of paranasal sinuses: frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and maxillary.
Frontal sinuses
Ethmoid sinuses
Located between the eyes and have a honeycomb appearance.
Sphenoid sinuses
Maxillary sinuses
Located below the eyes and lateral to the nasal cavity.
Inflammation of the mucousal lining of the paranasal sinuses.
Nasal polyps
Growths that originate from the mucous membrane. Often the polyps arise from the walls of the sinuses or the ostia and protrude into the nasal passageway. Polyps can be multiple and bad enough to cause nasal obstruction.
Hypertrophied turbinates
Permanent enlargement of the turbinates or nasal conchae may occur as a result of chronic rhinitis. Because of recurring inflammations, the turbinate loses it's normal elastic ability. This can be severe enough to cause nasal obstruction.
Deviated nasal septum
The nasal septum is typically straight at birth. During aging, the septum tends to deviate to one side or the other. The septum may also become deviated due to trauma. The deviation alone doesn't cause the patient to have symptoms but if it is severe enough, the patient may experience difficulty breathing.
Septal perforation
Joseph nasal scissors
Fomon upper lateral scissors
Knight nasal scissors
Adson tissue forceps
Graefe tissue forceps
Wilde dressing forceps
Halstead mosquito forcepts
Halsey needle holder
Aufricht retractor
Senn retractor
Joseph double hook
Baby allis forceps
Farrel applicator
Vienna nasal speculum
Killian septum speculum
Cottle septum speculum
Maltz nasal rasp
Cottle rasp
McKenty septum elevator
Jansen- Middleton septum forceps
Submucous Resection - As the name implies, submucous resection indicates that the mucous membrane lining the nasal cavity will be incised, and the underlying perichondrium or periosteum lifted. The structures underlying the mucous membrane will be removed the help restore normal breathing.
Most often done to straighten a deviated nasal septum. It is also used to repair a perforated septum or one damages by trauma.
Used to remove a hypertrophic turbinate usually the inferior.
Removal of nasal polyps.
Intranasal Antrostomy
Polyp snare
Internal Maxillary Artery Ligation
Ligation of the internal maxillary artery is a "last resort" type of procedure. As most cases of severe epistaxis can be controlled with internal packing or electrosurgery.
Nose job.
Sinus endoscopy
A diagnostic procedure. The main advantage to sinus endoscopy is that the surgery can be focused on the area of concern without damaging the surrounding tissues.
Caldwell Luc
Performed when an antrostomy does not provide adequate visualization.
Salivary glands
Secreted by serous cells, a watery fluid that is a digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrate molecules, starch, and glycogen into disaccharides.
Parotid gland
Submandibular gland
Located inferior to the jaw. It lies on tip of the strap muscles and it also covered by the platysma, integument, and fascia. The excretory gland is called Wharton's duct.
Sublingual gland
Smallest of the three glands. It is located beneath the mucous membrane and covers the floor of the mouth.
Referred to as the throat, is a tubular structure approximately 5 in. in length. The pharynx serves the respiratory tract by receiving air from the nose and mouth, and the digestive tract as it passes food and liquids. The pharynx is lined with a mucous membrane and is contiguous with the nose superiorly.
Eustachian tubes
Pharyngeal tonsils
Middle portion of the pharynx, located posterior to the oral cavity, Houses the palatine and lingual tonsils. Oropharynx begins at the uvula, communicating superiorly with the nasopharynx and extends to the level of the hyoid bone. The anterior opening to the oropharynx is the mouth.
Hard palate
Supported by extensions of the maxillary and palatine bones. The interaction between the tongue and the hard palate is essential in the formation of certain speech sounds.
Soft palate
Sits posterior to the hard palate and consists of connective tissue and muscle. It is responsible for closing off the nasal passages during the act of swallowing, and also for closing off the airway. During sneezing, it protects the nasal passage by diverting a portion of the excreted substance to the mouth.
Palatine tonsils
Or faucial tonsils, are the two oval masses of lymphoid tissue commonly called the tonsils. The palatine tonsils are located at each edge of the fauces within the folds of two bands of tissue that descend from the soft palate to the base of the tongue, called the tonsillar pillars.
Lingual tonsils
Pair of lymphoid areas located on the posterior surface of the tongue near the base.
Voice box, located between the pharynx and the trachea.
Windpipe, located anterior to the esophagus.
Inferior to the laryngopharynx and posterior to the larynx in the mediastinum. Passes through the diaphragm at the level of the hiatus. The esophagus is encircled with muscle tissue that produces peristaltic contractions to propel a bolus of food toward the stomach.
Sleep apnea
Inflammation of the larynx, causing a hoarse or gravelly-sounding voice or even an inability to speak.
Laryngeal neoplasm
Cancer of the laryngeal area.
Inflammation of the trachea, also classified as an upper respiratory infection.
Inflammation that damages tissues of the esophagus, the muscular tube that delivers food from your mouth to your stomach. Esophagitis often causes painful, difficult swallowing and chest pain. Causes of esophagitis include stomach acids backing up into the esophagus, infection, oral medications and allergies.
Zenker's diverticulum
A very common inflammation of the throat which may be either viral or bacterial. Streptococcal pharyngitis "strep throat" is the most common type.
May affect the pharyngeal, palatine, or lingual tonsils. Tonsillitits usually refers to the palatine tonsils and it is the palatine tonsils that are removed during the procedure.
Peritonsillar abscess
Vocal cord polyps
Also know as croup, mostly affects children under the age of 3. The major symptom is a "barking" cough.
A technique of visualizing the inside of the airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. An instrument (bronchoscope) is inserted into the airways, usually through the nose or mouth, or occasionally through a tracheostomy. This allows the practitioner to examine the patient's airways for abnormalities such as foreign bodies, bleeding, tumors, or inflammation. Specimens may be taken from inside the lungs. The construction of bronchoscopes ranges from rigid metal tubes with attached lighting devices to flexible optical fiber instruments with real-time video equipment.
Radical neck dissection
A surgical operation used to remove cancerous tissue in the head and neck. Removal of lymph nodes and other structures in the head and neck that are likely or known to be malignant. Variations on neck dissections exist, depending on the extent of the cancer. A radical neck dissection removes the most tissue. It is performed when the cancer has spread widely in the neck.
Davis mouth gag with blades
Weider tongue depressor
White tonsil seizing forcep
Fisher tonsil knife
Sage tonsil snare
List the two functions of the nose.
Smell and upper portion of the respiratory system.
What bone houses the mastoid sinus?
Temporal bone.
Name the three sections of the pharynx.
Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, and Laryngopharynx.
Which of the tonsils are removed during a tonsillectomy?
Palatine tonsils.
Name the four pairs of paranasal sinuses.
Frontal, Ethmoid, Sphenoid, and Maxillary.
Provide the scientific and common names for the ossicles in their proper sequence, moving from lateral to medial.
Malleus (hammer), Incus (anvil), and Stapes (stirrups).
Where are the adenoids located?
Attached to the back wall of the nasal pharynx.
Can tonsillitis affect the palatine tonsils?
Yes, tonsillitis usually refers to the palatine tonsils.
Which nerve is affected in a patient with sensorinated deafness?
Involves the cochlear portion of the inner ear and/or cochlear division of the acoustic nerve.
What is the cause of hypertrophied turbinates?
Chronic rhinitis.
What is the cause of obstructive sleep apnea?
Occurs when a problem with the upper respiratory tract prevents movement of air through the nose or mouth even when respiratory effort is attempted.
What is the most common cause of otitis media?
Initiated by blockage of the Eustachian tube causing an accumulation of fluid, which would normally be drained into the nasopharynx.
What causes the nasal septum to deviate from the midline?
List the symptoms of Meniere's syndrome.
Fluctuating hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear
What is the origin of a polyp?
Originates from mucous membrane. They develop in people with chronic rhinitis. The recurrent inflammatory process eventually causes a small swelling that enlarges with each subsequent episode.
What is the name of the procedure used to remove nasal polyps, and what special instrument may be used to perform the procedure?
Polypectomy; Polyp snare.
What is the unique feature of the #12 knife blade?
It's curved with the cutting surface on the inner aspect of the curve. Used in Oropharyangeal surgery.
What are the reasons for reversing the operating table during ear surgery?
It allows space under the foot portion of the table to accommodate the seated team member's legs and to allow for equipment placement.
Is sinus endoscopy a diagnostic or a functional procedure?
What source of energy will be needed to operate the rotating drill?
Battery pack.
What is intranasal antrostomy, and what special instrument may be needed to facilitate the procedure?
Performed to treat sinusitis or remove recurrent polyps that originate from within the maxillary sinus. A nasal antrostomy rasp is used to facilitate the procedure.
What is the most common autologous site for securing a graft for myringoplasty?
Temporalis fascia which is retroauricular.
What are the classifications for tympanoplasty, and how are they determined?
Type 1-5 and they are determined by the extent of the damage to the eardrum and the middle ear.
Where is the incision made to facilitate drainage of the frontal sinus?
The frontal sinus is drained through the external incision. The incision follows the inferior edge of the eyebrow along the anterior and lateral aspects of the nasal bone.
What is the pillar dissector used for?
Used in a tonsillectomy to free the tonsil lobe from its attachments to the pillars
Describe panendoscopy, and list any special equipment that may be required.
Examination, usually with the patient under general anesthesia, of the pharynx, larynx, upper trachea, and esophagus with rigid and flexible endoscopes.