The Sensory System

Basic Glossary of Terms for Healthcare Interpreters

English Definition Spanish

1. Aphasia Partial or total inability to understand or use language. Afasia
Spherical deviation in the lens of the eye, leading to
2. Astigmatism Astigmatismo
distorted images.
3. Cataract Opacification of the eye lens, leading to blurred vision. Catarata
A split or opening in the upper part of the mouth caused
by failure of lip to close together during fetal
4. Cleft lip Labio leporino
development. Babies with this condition may also
suffer from a cleft in the palate.
Inner ear structure that is shaped like a snail and is the
5. Cochlea Cóclea
organ responsible for hearing.
An infection characterized by the formation of a cluster
6. Cold sore of tiny blisters on or around the mouth caused by the Herpes labial
herpes simplex virus. Also called fever blister.
It refers to a person who has a vision deficiency in which
7. Colorblind Daltónico
the ability to see certain colors is decreased.
The mucous membrane that lines the inside of the
8. Conjunctiva Conjuntiva
eyelids to protect the white of the eye.
9. Cornea The transparent layer covering the front part of the eye. Córnea
10. Dysphonia Difficulty speaking, or a vocalization impairment. Disfonía
The translucent fibrous structure separating the
external ear from the middle ear and attached to the
11. Eardrum Tímpano
ear bones; it vibrates with sound and sends the waves
to the inner ear.
The tube that leads from the throat to the middle ear,
12. Eustachian tube Trompa de Eustaquio
and is responsible for pressure equalization in the ears.
A physician that specializes in disorders of the ear,
13. ENT Otorrino
nose, and throat. Also called otolaryngologist.
Eye floaters are black or gray spots in one’s vision; they
14. Floaters may also look like a spider’s web or strings that drift Flotadores del ojo
with eye or head movement.
A condition marked by several eye disorders that affect
15. Glaucoma the optic nerve. Damage to this nerve leads to Glaucoma
irreversible loss of vision.
16. Halitosis Commonly known as bad breath. Halitosis
17. Hearing impairment Partial or complete loss of the ability to detect sounds. Discapacidad auditiva
Harsh-sounding voice caused by vocal cord overuse or
18. Hoarseness Ronquera
other condition.
Commonly known as farsightedness, this is a condition
19. Hyperopia where people can see distant objects more clearly than Hipermetropía
those nearby.
The bone in the middle ear between the stapes and
20. Incus Yunque
malleus; also known as the anvil because of its shape.

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 The part of the ear that contains the hearing organ
21. Inner ear called the cochlea and the balance organ called the Oído interno
labyrinth.
The colored part of the eye behind the cornea,
22. Iris Iris
containing the adjustable opening called the pupil.
Part of the inner ear that holds the sensory organs for
23. Labyrinth
hearing and equilibrium.
Laberinto

It is a laser eye procedure that uses a device called a

24. LASIK microkeratome to change the shape of the cornea to Cirugía LASIK
correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Commonly referred to as the hammer because of its
25. Malleus shape, it is the first ear bone that connects to the Martillo
eardrum.
A condition of the inner ear marked by hearing and
Enfermedad de
26. Meniere’s disease balance disorders, leading to tinnitus, vertigo, hearing
Meniere
loss, and fullness in the ear.
Includes the eardrum and the three middle ear bones
27. Middle Ear Oído medio
that end at the round window leading to the inner ear.
Commonly known as nearsightedness, this is a
28. Myopia condition marked by the ability to see objects up close Miopía
more clearly than objects farther away.
A surgical incision of the eardrum to relieve pressure,
29. Myringotomy Miringotomía
drain fluid, or place ear tubes.
The external openings in the face leading to the nasal
30. Nostrils cavities, which connect to the throat and airways to Fosas nasales
allow the passage of air into the lungs.
Very small bones, especially when referring to the
31. Ossicles Osículos
bones in the ear.
Inflammation of either the external, middle or inner
32. Otitis ear, which will be defined by the terms otitis externa, Otitis
otitis media, or otitis interna.
There is a soft and hard palate. The soft palate is the
fleshy portion towards the back of the roof of the
33. Palate Paladar
mouth. The hard palate is the bony front part of the
roof of the mouth.
Another term for farsightedness, it is marked by the
34. Presbyopia ability to see things farther away more clearly than Presbicia
objects up close.
A growth of tissue in the conjunctiva of the eye,
35. Pterygium originating on the nasal side and gravitates to the Pterigión
cornea.
The adjustable opening in the middle of the iris, which
36. Pupil Pupila
is where light passes to the retina.
The innermost part of the eye that receives images
37. Retina from the outside world; these images are then sent to Retina
the brain through the optic nerve.
Inflammation in the nasal structures or lining causing a
38. Rhinitis Rinitis
runny or stuffy nose.
A membrane that separates the middle ear from the Membrana timpánica
39. Round window
inner ear. secundaria
40. Sclera The white part of the eye. Esclerótica

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 Smallest of the three ear bones that connect the
41. Stapes eardrum to the inner ear; commonly referred to as the Estribo
stirrup because of its shape.
Also called cross-eyed, this is the inward turning of the
42. Strabismus Estrabismo
iris and cornea as if looking at the nose.
An infection of the throat and tonsils caused by group Faringitis por
43. Strep throat
A streptococcus bacteria. estreptococos
Inflammation or narrowing of the voice box, leading to
44. Stridor Estridor
noisy breathing.
Complete or partial word repetition, which disrupts the
45. Stuttering Tartamudeo
smooth flow of speech.
An abscess in or around the eye caused by bacteria in
46. Sty Orzuelo
the eyelid glands.
Hearing a roaring, ringing, or buzzing sound in the head
47. Tinnitus Zumbido
or ears.
The illusion of movement, leading to a whirling
48. Vertigo Vértigo
sensation and loss of balance.
The system responsible for maintaining one’s
perception of the body’s place in space, posture, and
49. Vestibular system Sistema vestibular
balance. Regulates movements and locomotion to help
with visual focus on objects during movement.
50. Vestibule A bony channel or cavity within the inner ear. Vestíbulo

Notes: Key Word Parts:

6. Colloquially known in Latin America as fuego kerat/o cornea

13. Also known as otorhinolaryngologist. In Spanish: myring/o eardrum
otorrinolaringólogo or otolaringólogo. dilat/o widening
16. It is also acceptable to interpret as mal aliento. -otomy cutting into
34. In Spanish, a farsighted person is: hipermétrope, a
nearsighted person is: míope, and a person with
astigmatism is: astigmático.
35. Commonly called: carnocidad en los ojos.
42. Cross-eyed: bizco in Spanish.
43. Also correct: faringitis or amigdalitis estreptocócica.
47. Also correct: tinnitus (pronounced as spelled)

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