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Chapter 13: Ears, Nose, Mouth, and Throat
Auricle The auricle, the portion of the external ear that extends through the auditory canal to the
tympanic membrane, receives sound waves and transmits them through the auditory canal to
produce vibrations on the tympanic membrane.
Cerumen Cerumen is a waxlike substance that is produced by the ear canal.
Cochlea The cochlea is a snail-shaped structure that contains the perilymph and endolymph,
which vibrate as sound passes through them, thus stimulating the hearing-receptor cells of the
organ of Corti.
Eustachian tube The eustachian tube connects the external ear to the nasopharynx and facilitates
the equalization of air pressure.
Frenulum The frenulum connects the upper and lower gums to the lips.
Labyrinth The labyrinth is the closed, fluid-filled system of interconnecting tubes that comprise
the inner ear. The vestibule, semicircular canals, and cochlea comprise the bony labyrinth.
Linear raphe The linear raphe is composed of two palatine bones and part of the superior
maxillary bone that forms the middle of the hard palate.
Ossicles The ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes) are three tiny bones in the ear that facilitate the
transmission of sound.
Otitis media Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear.
Papillae The papillae are small, nipple-like projections that cover the anterior two-thirds of the
tongue.
Copyright © 2010 by Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Paranasal sinuses The paranasal sinuses, air-filled cavities lined with mucous membranes, are
located in some of the cranial bones.
Presbycusis Presbycusis refers to hearing loss.
Rinne test The Rinne test is used to determine if there is a conductive hearing defect.
Semicircular canals There are three semicircular canals located at right angles to the cochlea that
are primarily responsible for balance and equilibrium in the body.
Turbinates The turbinates are the structures located within the fossa of each nostril. They are
covered with mucous membranes that serve to trap fine dust particles.
Uvula The uvula is a fingerlike projection of tissue that hangs down from the center of the soft
palate.
Vestibule The vestibule, located between the cochlea and semicircular canals, facilitates hearing
and balance.
Weber test The Weber test is used to determine whether a patient’s hearing loss is conductive or
sensorineural.
Copyright © 2010 by Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.