Ear Examination

Normal Ear Anatomy

Ear Examination

Inspect the ears

Palpate the pina and surrounding structures

Positioning of otoscope

Position the patient’s head

Straighten ear canal
Grasp the auricle firmly
Gently pull upward and backward
Adults
Downward and backward
Pediatric
insert otoscope

Visualize ear canal and ear drum

Inspect ear canal

Discharge
Foreign body
Redness or swelling
Inspect eardrum
Color
Contour
Cone of light
Inspect malleus
Handle of malleus
Inspect its position
Inspect short process of malleus
Look for perforations