CHAPTER 14

The Special Senses

(Eye and Ear)
 Overview of the Eye
• Eye acts much like a camera
– Lens of eye adjusts to bring object into focus
– Pupil of eye constricts to allow less light to
enter in bright setting or dilates to allow more
light to enter in darker setting
– Through bending of light rays, image reaches
retina
• Sensitive nerve cell layer of eye
• Image is transmitted to brain for interpretation

2
 Structures of the Eye
(Front View)
• Sclera
– White portion of eye
• Tough, fibrous membrane
• Maintains shape of eyeball
• Serves as protective covering for eye
• Iris
– Colored portion of eye
• Pupil
– Opening in center of eye
– Controls amount of light entering eye
3
 Structures of the Eye
(Front View)
• Conjunctiva
– Thin mucous membrane layer that lines anterior part
of eye and inner part of eyelids
• Colorless, but appears white because it covers sclera
• Lacrimal gland
– Located at upper outer edge of each eye
• Produces tears
• Lacrimal duct
– Located at inner edge of eye
• Tears drain from eye through this duct

4
Structures of the Eye
(Front View)

5
 Structures of the Eye
(Front View)
• Eyelids
– Continuous with skin and cover the eyeball
– Keep surface of eyeball lubricated and protected from
dust and debris through blinking motion
• Eyelashes
– Located along edges of eyelids
– Help protect eyeball by preventing foreign materials
and/or insects from coming in contact with surface of
eyeball

6
 Structures of the Eye
(Cross Section)
• Sclera
– “White of the eye”
– Thinnest over anterior surface of the eye
– Thickest at the back of the eye, near opening
for optic nerve
• Cornea
– Continuous with anterior portion of sclera
– Transparent, nonvascular layer covering
colored part of the eye

7
 Structures of the Eye
(Cross Section)
• Conjunctiva
– Mucous membrane lining inner surfaces of
eyelids and outer surfaces of eye
• Choroid
– Vascular middle layer of eye
• Just beneath sclera
• Contains extensive capillaries that provide blood
supply and nutrients to eye
• Contains the iris, ciliary body, and suspensory
ligaments

8
 Structures of the Eye
(Cross Section)
• Iris
– Colored portion of eye
• Can be seen through transparent corneal layer
• Pupil
– Located in center of iris
• Controls amount of light entering eye
• Lens
– Colorless biconvex structure that aids in
focusing images clearly on retina
9
 Structures of the Eye
(Cross Section)
• Ciliary body
– Located on each side of the lens
– Contains muscles responsible for adjusting lens to
view near objects
• Suspensory ligaments
– Radiate from ciliary body and attach to lens
– Hold lens in place
– Assist in adjusting shape of lens for proper focusing of
eye

10
 Structures of the Eye
(Cross Section)
• Retina
– Sensitive nerve cell layer
• Changes energy of light rays into nerve impulses
• Transmits nerve impulses via optic nerve to brain
for interpretation of image seen by eye
– Nerve cells of retina
• Rods are responsible for vision in dim light and for
peripheral vision
• Cones responsible for visualizing colors, central
vision, and vision in bright light
11
 Structures of the Eye
(Cross Section)
• Retina
– Macula Lutea
• Oval, yellowish spot near center of retina
– Fovea Centralis
• Small depression located within macula lutea
• Sharpest image is obtained when image focuses
directly on fovea centralis = central vision

12
 Structures of the Eye
(Cross Section)
• Optic nerve
– Receives impulses from retina and transmits
them to the brain
• Images are then interpreted as vision
• Optic disc
– Contains no rods or cones
– Known as the “blind spot” of the eye
– Center of optic disc serves as point of entry
for artery that supplies retina
13
Structures of the Eye
(Cross Section)
Lateral Cross Section
of the Eye

14
 Structures of the Eye
(Cross Section)
• Anterior cavity of the eye
– Anterior chamber
• Located in front of lens
• Filled with clear, watery fluid called aqueous humor
– Posterior chamber
• Located behind lens
• Also filled with aqueous humor
• Flows back and forth between both chambers

15
 Structures of the Eye
(Cross Section)
• Posterior cavity of eye
– Posterior to lens
– Filled with vitreous humor
• Clear, jellylike substance that gives shape to the
eyeball
• Not constantly reproduced
• Blindness can result if vitreous humor escapes
from eye

16
 Process of Vision
• Process begins as light rays enter eye
– Transmitted through cornea, aqueous humor,
pupil, lens, and vitreous humor to retina
• Sensitive nerve cells of retina transmit image
through optic nerve to brain
• Brain interprets image as vision

17
 Process of Vision
• Refraction
– Process of bending of light rays as they pass
through the various structures of the eye to
produce a clear image on the retina
• Errors of refraction
– Occur when eyeball is abnormally shaped
– Occur when lens has lost ability to
accommodate to near vision
• Vision will be blurred
• Can be adjusted with corrective lenses
18
PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The Eye
 Astigmatism
• Pronounced
– (ah-STIG-mah-tizm)
• Defined
– Refractive error causing light rays entering the
eye to be focused irregularly on the retina due
to an abnormally shaped cornea
• Correction: contact lenses or eyeglasses to
neutralize defect

20
 Blepharitis
• Pronounced
– (blef-ah-RYE-tis)
• Defined
– Inflammation of the eyelid margins stemming
from seborrheic, allergic, or bacterial origin

21
 Blepharoptosis
(Ptosis)
• Pronounced
– (blef-ah-roh-TOH-sis)
• Defined
– Occurs when eyelid partially or entirely covers
the eye as a result of a weakened muscle

22
 Blepharoptosis
Blepharoptosis

23
 Blindness
• Pronounced
– (BLINDNESS)
• Defined
– Absence of vision or the need for assistive
devices and/or assistance from others to
accomplish daily activities due to inability to
see

24
Monochromatism (Color Blindness)
• Pronounced
– (mon-oh-KROH-mah-tizm)
• Defined
– Inability to sharply perceive visual colors
• Daltonism
– Unable to distinguish greens from reds
• Achromatic Vision
– Cannot distinguish any color; perceives only white, gray,
and black

25
 Cataract
• Pronounced
– (KAT-ah-rakt)
• Defined
– Lens in the eye becomes progressively cloudy
losing its normal transparency
• Alters perception of images due to interference of
light transmission to retina

26
 Chalazion
• Pronounced
– (kah-LAY-zee-on)
• Defined
– Cyst or nodule on eyelid resulting from an
obstruction of a meibomian gland, which is
responsible for lubricating margin of the eyelid

27
 Conjunctivitis, Acute
• Pronounced
– (kon-junk-tih-VYE-tis acute)
• Defined
– Inflammation of mucous membrane lining the
eyelids and covering the front part of the
eyeball
– Also called “Pinkeye”

28
 Corneal Abrasion
• Pronounced
– (COR-nee-al ah-BRAY-zhun)
• Defined
– Disruption of the cornea’s surface epithelium
commonly caused by an eyelash, a small
foreign body, contact lenses, or a scratch
from a fingernail

29
 Diabetic Retinopathy
• Pronounced
– (dye-ah-BET-ik reh-tin-OP-ah-thee)
• Defined
– Condition that occurs as a consequence of an
8 to 10-year duration of diabetes mellitus in
which the capillaries of retina experience
scarring

30
 Diabetic Retinopathy
• Causes of retinal capillary scarring
– Abnormal dilation and constriction of vessels
– Hemorrhages
– Microaneurysms
– Abnormal formation of new vessels causing
leakage of blood into the vitreous humor
• Leakage causes permanent decline in sharpness
of vision

31
 Ectropion
• Pronounced
– (ek-TROH-pee-on)
• Defined
– “Turning out” or eversion of the eyelash
margins from the eyeball leading to exposure
of the eyelid and eyeball surface and lining
• Occurs especially in the lower eyelid

32
 Entropion
• Pronounced
– (en-TROH-pee-on)
• Defined
– “Turning in” of the eyelash margins resulting
in the sensation similar to that of a foreign
body in the eye (redness, tearing, burning,
and itching)
• Occurs especially in the lower margins

33
 Exophthalmia
• Pronounced
– (eks-off-THAL-mee-ah)
• Defined
– Abnormal protrusion of the eyeball(s) usually
with the sclera noticeable over the iris
– Typically due to an expanded volume of
orbital contents

34
 Glaucoma
• Pronounced
– (glau-KOH-mah)
• Defined
– Ocular disorders identified as a group due to
the increase in intraocular pressure

35
 Glaucoma
• Chronic open-angle glaucoma
– Primary disorder
– Breakdown in drainage system of the
circulation of aqueous humor
• Gradual elevation of internal pressure leads to
decreased blood supply to optic nerve and retina
• Peripheral vision is gradually lost when untreated

36
 Glaucoma
• Acute closed-angle glaucoma
– Mouth of drainage system is narrow and
closes completely
– Allowing no flow of aqueous humor
• Rapid occurrence characterized by severe pain,
blurred vision, photophobia, redness, and seeing
“halos” around light
• If untreated, person can lose his or her sight within
several days

37
 Hemianopia
• Pronounced
– (hem-ee-an-NOP-ee-ah)
• Defined
– Loss of vision or blindness in one-half of the
visual field

38
 Hordeolum (Stye)
• Pronounced
– (hor-DEE-oh-lum)
• Defined
– Bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle or
sebaceous gland
– Originating with redness, swelling, and mild
tenderness in margin of eyelash

39
 Hyperopia
• Pronounced
– (high-per-OH-pee-ah)
• Defined
– Refractive error in which the lens of the eye
cannot focus on an image accurately
– Results in blurred vision due to light rays
focused behind the retina because eyeball is
shorter than normal
• Also called farsightedness

40
 Hyperopia
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

41
 Hyphema (Hyphemia)
• Pronounced
– (high-FEE-mah)
• Defined
– Bleed into anterior chamber of eye
– Resulting as a postoperative complication or
from a blunt eye injury

42
 Keratitis
• Pronounced
– (kair-ah-TYE-tis)
• Defined
– Corneal inflammation caused by a
microorganism, trauma to eye, a break in
sensory innervation of cornea, hypersensitivity
reaction, or a tearing defect
– May be due to dry eyes or ineffective eyelid
closure

43
 Myopia
• Pronounced
– (my-OH-pee-ah)
• Defined
– Refractive error in which the lens of the eye
cannot focus on an image accurately
– Resulting in blurred distant vision due to light
rays focused in front of retina because eyeball
is longer than normal
• Also known as nearsightedness

44
 Myopia
Myopia (nearsightedness)

45
 Nyctalopia
(Night Blindness)
• Pronounced
– (nik-tah-LOH-pee-ah)
• Defined
– Inadequate vision at night or in faint lighting
following reduction in synthesis of rhodopsin
– Compound in rods of retina that enables the
eye to adjust to low-density light

46
 Nystagmus
• Pronounced
– (niss-TAG-mus)
• Defined
– Vertical, horizontal, rotary, or mixed rhythmic
involuntary movements of the eye(s)
• Caused by use of alcohol or certain drugs, lesions
on the brain or inner ear, congenital abnormalities,
nerve injury at birth, or abnormal retinal
development

47
 Ophthalmia Neonatorum
• Pronounced
– (off-THAL-mee-ah nee-oh-nay-TOR-um)
• Defined
– Purulent (contains pus) inflammation of
conjunctiva and/or cornea in newborn
• Cause of the keratitis and conjunctivitis results
from newborn’s exposure to viral, bacterial,
chemical, or chlamydial agents

48
 Presbyopia
• Pronounced
– (prez-bee-OH-pee-ah)
• Defined
– Refractive error occurring after age of 40
– Lens of the eye(s) cannot focus on an image
accurately due to loss of elasticity
• Also called farsightedness due to better clarity of
distant objects

49
 Pterygium
• Pronounced
– (ter-IJ-ee-um)
• Defined
– Irregular growth developing as a fold in the
conjunctiva
– Usually on nasal side of the cornea
– Disrupts vision if it extends over pupil
• Can be caused by allergies and excessive
ultraviolet light exposure

50
 Pterygium
Pterygium

51
 Retinal Detachment
• Pronounced
– (RET-in-al detachment)
• Defined
– Partial or complete splitting away of the retina
from the pigmented vascular layer called the
choroid, interrupting vascular supply to the
retina and thus creating a medical emergency

52
 Retinal Tear
• Pronounced
– (RET-in-al tear)
• Defined
– Opening in retina that allows leakage of
vitreous humor

53
 Scleritis
• Pronounced
– (skleh-RYE-tis)
• Defined
– Presence of inflammation in the white,
outside covering of the eyeball, the sclera
• Symptoms include intense redness with dull pain
and possibly some loss of vision

54
 Scotoma
• Pronounced
– (skoh-TOH-mah)
• Defined
– Defined area in one or both eyes
– Decreased visual function

55
 Strabismus
• Pronounced
– (strah-BIZ-mus)
• Defined
– Failure of eyes to gaze in same direction due
to weakness in muscles controlling position of
eye
• Most common type is nonparalytic strabismus
• Inherited defect in which the eye position of the
two eyes has no relationship

56
 Strabismus
• Convergent Strabismus
– Also known as “Crosseye”
– Also known as “Esotropia”
– Affected eye turns inward
• Usually develops in infancy or early childhood

57
 Strabismus
• Divergent Strabismus
– Also known as “Walleye”
– Also known as “Exotropia”
– Affected eye turns outward

58
 Strabismus
Strabismus
(A) Convergent
(B) Divergent

59
 Synechia
• Pronounced
– (sin-EK-ee-ah)
• Defined
– Adhesion in eye that develops as a
complication of trauma or surgery
– Secondary condition of one of the following
pathological conditions: cataracts, glaucoma,
keratitis, or uveitis
• Adhesion causes the iris to adhere to lens or
cornea

60
 Trachoma
• Pronounced
– (tray-KOH-mah)
• Defined
– Infectious eye disease caused by Chlamydia
trachomatis
– Chronic and will lead to blindness without
treatment
• Early symptoms include tearing, pain,
photophobia, and inflammation

61
 Uveitis
• Pronounced
– (yoo-vee-EYE-tis)
• Defined
– Inflammation of all or part of middle vascular
layer of eye made up of the iris, ciliary body,
and choroid
• Characterized by blurred vision, pain, redness,
pupillary constriction, and intense photophobia

62
 DIAGNOSTIC
TECHNIQUES, TREATMENTS
AND PROCEDURES

The Eye
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Corneal transplant
– Surgical transplantation of a donor cornea
(cadaver’s) into the eye of a recipient
usually under local anesthesia
• Electronystagmography
– Group of tests used in evaluating vestibule-
ocular reflex
• Normal reflex produced by stimulation of
vestibular apparatus in which eye position
compensates for motion of the head
64
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Electroretinogram (ERG)
– Recording of changes in electrical potential of
retina after stimulation of light
• Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE)
– Surgical removal of anterior segment of lens
capsule along with lens allowing for insertion of
an intraocular lens implant

65
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Fluorescein staining
– Application of a fluorescein-stained sterile
filter paper strip moistened with a few drops of
sterile saline or sterile anesthetic solution to
the lower cul-de-sac of the eye to visualize a
corneal abrasion

66
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Gonioscopy
– Process of viewing anterior chamber angle of
eye for evaluation, management, and
classification of normal and abnormal angle
structures
– Intraocular lens implant
• Surgical process of cataract extraction and
insertion of an artificial lens in patient’s eye
– Restores visual acuity and provides improved depth
perception, light refraction, and binocular vision
67
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Iridectomy
– Extraction of a small segment of the iris to
open an anterior chamber angle and permit
the flow of aqueous humor between the
anterior and posterior chambers
– Relieves person’s intraocular pressure

68
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Keratoplasty
– Transplantation of corneal tissue from one
human eye to another to improve vision in
affected eye
• Also called corneal grafting

69
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
– LASIK procedure is a form of laser vision
correction for nearsightedness (myopia)
• Ophthalmoscopy
– Examination of external and internal structures
of the eye
– Utilizes an ophthalmoscope

70
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Pachymetry
– Measures thickness of cornea
• Patient’s eyes are numbed
• Uses an ultrasonic-wave instrument to gauge
thickness of each cornea

71
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Phacoemulsification
– Removing a lens by using ultrasound
vibrations to split up lens material into tiny
particles that can be suctioned out of the eye
• Photo Refractive Keratectomy
– Surgical procedure in which a few layers of
corneal surface cells are shaved off by an
“excimer laser beam” to flatten cornea and
reduce myopia or nearsightedness
72
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Retinal Photocoagulation
– Surgical procedure using an argon laser to
treat conditions such as retinal detachment,
and diabetic retinopathy
• Retinal Detachment – argon laser used to create
an area of inflammation, which will develop
adhesions, causing a welding of the layers
• Diabetic Retinopathy – argon laser used to seal
microaneurysms and areas of leakage, and to
reduce risk of hemorrhage
73
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Slit-Lamp exam
– Examination of external and internal
structures of the eye using a low power
microscope combined with a high-intensity
light source focused to shine as a slit beam
• Also known as biomicroscopy

74
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Tonometry
– Process of determining intraocular pressure
by calculating resistance of eyeball to an
applied force causing indentation
• Trabeculectomy
– Surgical excision of a portion of corneoscleral
tissue to decrease intraocular pressure in
persons with severe glaucoma

75
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Trabeculoplasty
– Surgical creation of a permanent fistula used to
drain fluid (aqueous humor) from the eye’s
anterior chamber
– Usually performed under general anesthesia
• Laser trabeculoplasty is an outpatient plastic
surgery approach used in management of glaucoma

76
 Overview of the Ear
• Two important functions of the ear
– Enables us to hear
– Sensory organ of balance or equilibrium
• Location of one ear on each side of head
produces binaural hearing
– Hearing from both sides

77
 Structures of the Ear
• External ear
– Visible portion not contained within the head
– Auricle or pinna
• Cartilaginous flap or ear lobe
– External auditory canal
• Tube leading from auricle to the middle ear
• Lined with tiny hairs called cilia to aid in transmitting
sound waves inward
– Tympanic membrane (eardrum)
• Separates external ear from middle ear
78
 Structures of the Ear
• Middle ear
– Three tiny bones known as auditory ossicles
– Malleus
• Resembles shape of a hammer
• Connected to tympanic membrane and transmits
sound vibrations to second auditory ossicle
– Incus
• Resembles shape of an anvil
• Transmits sound vibrations from malleus to third
auditory ossicle

79
 Structures of the Ear
• Middle ear
– Stapes
• Shaped like a tiny stirrup
• Transmits sound vibrations from incus to inner ear
– Eustachian tube
• Connects middle ear to pharynx
• Auditory tube
– Oval window
• Separates middle ear from inner ear
• Base of stapes fits into oval window
80
 Structures of the Ear
• Inner ear
– Vestibule
• Central portion of inner ear
• Located next to stapes and between cochlea and
semicircular canals
• Contains utricle and saccule-membranous
pouches or sacs that aid in maintaining balance
– Cochlea
• Snail-shaped bony structure
• Contains endolymph and perilymph
• Auditory fluids that aid in transmission of sound
vibrations
81
 Structures of the Ear
• Inner ear
– Organ of Corti
• True organ of hearing
• Contained within the cochlea
• Here, sound vibrations are converted into nerve
impulses that are transmitted to the brain for
interpretation as hearing
– Semicircular canals
• Located behind the vestibule
• Three bony, fluid-filled loops that help to maintain
one’s balance

82
Structures of the Ear

83
 The Process of Hearing
Pathway of
sound
vibrations

84
PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The Ear
 Cholesteatoma
• Pronounced
– (koh-lee-stee-ah-TOH-mah)
• Defined
– Slow-growing cystic mass made up of
epithelial cell debris and cholesterol found in
the middle ear
• Occurs as a congenital defect or as a result of
chronic otitis media

86
 Deafness, Conductive
• Pronounced
– (Deafness kon-DUK-tiv)
• Defined
– Hearing loss caused by breakdown of the
transmission of sound waves through the
middle and/or external ear

87
 Deafness, Sensorineural
• Pronounced
– (Deafness sen-soh-ree-NOO-ral)
• Defined
– Hearing loss caused by inability of nerve
stimuli delivered to brain from inner ear due to
damage in auditory nerve or cochlea

88
 Impacted Cerumen
• Pronounced
– (Impacted seh-ROO-men)
• Defined
– Excessive accumulation of waxlike secretions
from glands of external ear canal

89
 Labyrinthitis
• Pronounced
– (lab-ih-rin-THIGH-tis)
• Defined
– Infection or inflammation of the labyrinth or
the inner ear
– Specifically, the three semicircular canals in
the inner ear
– Fluid-filled chambers and control balance

90
 Mastoiditis
• Pronounced
– (mass-toyd-EYE-tis)
• Defined
– Inflammation of mastoid process
– Usually an acute expansion of an infection in
the middle ear
– Otitis media

91
 Ménière's Disease
• Pronounced
– (may-nee-ARYZ dih-ZEEZ)
• Defined
– Chronic inner ear disease
– Over accumulation of fluid in the labyrinth
– Characterized by recurring episodes of
vertigo, hearing loss, feeling of pressure or
fullness in the affected ear, and tinnitus

92
 Otitis Externa (O.E.)
(Swimmer’s Ear)
• Pronounced
– (oh-TYE-tis eks-TER-nah)
• Defined
– Inflammation of outer or external ear canal
• Result of growth of bacteria or fungi in external ear
• Major symptom is pain, especially when the ear is
tugged on, along with a red swollen ear canal

93
 Otitis Media, Acute (A.O.M.)
• Pronounced
– (oh-TYE-tis MEE-dee-ah)
• Defined
– Middle ear infection
– Predominately affects infants, toddlers, and
preschoolers

94
 Serous Otitis Media (S.O.M.)
• Pronounced
– (SEER-us oh-TYE-tis MEE-dee-ah)
• Defined
– Collection of clear fluid in middle ear that may
follow acute otitis media or be due to an
obstruction of eustachian tube

95
 Suppurative Otitis Media
• Pronounced
– (SOO-per-ah-tiv oh-TYE-tis MEE-dee-ah)
• Defined
– Purulent collection of fluid in the middle ear
– Person may experience pain (possibly
severe), an elevation in temperature,
dizziness, decreased hearing, vertigo, and
tinnitus
– Also called acute otitis media

96
 Otosclerosis
• Pronounced
– (oh-toh-sklair-OH-sis)
• Defined
– Condition in which footplate of stapes
becomes immobile and secured to oval
window
– Results in a hearing loss

97
 Perforation of
Tympanic Membrane
• Pronounced
– (per-for-AY-shun of the tim-PAN-ik
membrane)
• Defined
– Rupture of tympanic membrane or eardrum

98
 DIAGNOSTIC
TECHNIQUES, TREATMENTS,
AND PROCEDURES

The Ear
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Audiometry
– Process of measuring how well an
individual hears various frequencies of
sound waves
• Otoscopy
– Use of an otoscope to view and examine
tympanic membrane and various parts of
outer ear

100
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Tuning Fork Test (Rinne Test)
– Examination that compares bone
conduction and air conduction
• Tuning Fork Test (Weber Test)
– Examination used to evaluate auditory
acuity as well as discover whether a
hearing deficit is a conductive loss or a
sensorineural loss

101
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Otoplasty
– Removal of a portion of ear cartilage to bring
pinna and auricle near head
• Stapedectomy
– Microsurgical removal of stapes diseased by
otosclerosis
– Typically under local anesthesia

102
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Hearing aids
– Devices that amplify sound to provide
precise perception and interpretation of
words
• In-canal style – fits completely into ear canal
• In-ear style – worn in external ear
• Behind-ear style – placed behind ear
• Body hearing aid – sound delivered to ear canal
by way of microphone

103
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Myringotomy
– Surgical procedure with insertion of a small
ventilation tube into inferior segment of
tympanic membrane
• Tympanotomy
– Also called a myringotomy

104
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
• Myringoplasty
– Surgical repair of the tympanic membrane
with a tissue graft after a spontaneous rupture
that results in hearing loss
• Tympanoplasty
– Also called a myringoplasty

105