Chapter 13Chapter 13

Special Senses: The Eye Special Senses: The Eye and Earand Ear

Lindy BavolekLindy Bavolek

Abbreviations for common termsAbbreviations for common terms

PE tube: Pressure equalizing tubePE tube: Pressure equalizing tube

Small tube surgically placed in a child’s Small tube surgically placed in a child’s ear to assist in drainage of infectionear to assist in drainage of infection

EENT: Eye, ear, nose, and throatEENT: Eye, ear, nose, and throat

More than 50% of all physician office visits are for EENT More than 50% of all physician office visits are for EENT problems.problems.

An EENT Specialist is a physician trained in the medical An EENT Specialist is a physician trained in the medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose throat, and and surgical treatment of the ears, nose throat, and related structures of the head and neck. They have related structures of the head and neck. They have special expertise in managing diseases of the ears, nose special expertise in managing diseases of the ears, nose and nasal passage sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral and nasal passage sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as cavity and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as structures of the neck and face. structures of the neck and face.

ENT is the oldest medical specialty in the United States.ENT is the oldest medical specialty in the United States. Source: http://www.entassociates.com/what%20is%20anSource: http://www.entassociates.com/what%20is%20an

%20ent.htm%20ent.htm

BC: Bone conductionBC: Bone conduction

Sound transmitted directly to the cochlea Sound transmitted directly to the cochlea (inner ear) by vibration to the skull (inner ear) by vibration to the skull

AU: Both earsAU: Both ears

Another term for both ears is binauralAnother term for both ears is binaural

The opposite is monaural, with refers to The opposite is monaural, with refers to one earone ear

OM: Otitis mediaOM: Otitis media

Commonly referred to as middle ear Commonly referred to as middle ear infectioninfection

Seen frequently in childrenSeen frequently in children Often preceded by an upper respiratory Often preceded by an upper respiratory

infectioninfection

EM: EmmetropiaEM: Emmetropia

State of normal visionState of normal vision

XT: ExotropiaXT: Exotropia

Outward turning Outward turning of the eyeof the eye

An example of a An example of a strabismus, or strabismus, or muscle weakness muscle weakness of the eyeof the eye

OS: Left eyeOS: Left eye

OD means right eyeOD means right eye

OS is an abbreviation for the Latin OS is an abbreviation for the Latin oculus oculus sinistersinister, meaning left eye , meaning left eye

EOM: Extraocular movementEOM: Extraocular movement

““The extraocular muscles, The extraocular muscles, considering their relatively considering their relatively small size, are incredibly strong small size, are incredibly strong and efficient.  There are the six and efficient.  There are the six extraocular muscles, which act extraocular muscles, which act to turn or rotate an eye about to turn or rotate an eye about its vertical, horizontal, and its vertical, horizontal, and antero-posterior axes” (Source: antero-posterior axes” (Source: http://www.tedmontgomery.cohttp://www.tedmontgomery.com/the_eye/eom.htmlm/the_eye/eom.html))

VA: Visual acuityVA: Visual acuity

A VA testis the measurement of the A VA testis the measurement of the sharpness of a patient’s vision. sharpness of a patient’s vision.

Usually, a Snellen chart is used for this Usually, a Snellen chart is used for this test and the patient identifies letter from a test and the patient identifies letter from a distance of 20 feet. distance of 20 feet.