Deck 12: Ears

Question 1

List the anatomic landmarks of the external ear.

Answer 1

The external ear, called the auricle or pinna, has six anatomic landmarks: the helix, antihelix, external auditory meatus, tragus, antitragus, and lobule. The landmarks are used as reference points when one is documenting findings (see text for illustration).

Question 2

Describe the tympanic membrane and its anatomic landmarks.

Answer 2

The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, separates the external and middle ear. It is translucent with a pearly gray color. On inspection with an otoscope, a prominent cone of light is visible-a reflection of the otoscope light. The malleus pulls at the center of the ear, causing it to appear oval and slightly concave. The umbo, almost in the center, the most depressed point, is the location of the attachment of the first ossicle. The pars flaccid is the small, slack, superior section of the membrane, and the remainder of the drum, which is thicker and more taut, is the pars tensa. The thickened border is the annulus.

Question 3

List the functions of the middle ear.

Answer 3

The middle ear conducts sound vibrations from the outer ear to the central hearing apparatus in the inner ear and protects the inner ear by reducing the amplitude of loud sounds. The eustachian tube allows equalization of air pressure on each side of the tympanic membrane.

Question 4

State the functions of the inner ear that can be assessed.

Question 5

Differentiate among the types of hearing loss.

Question 6

Relate the anatomic developmental differences that alter hearing.

Question 7

Incorporate health promotion concepts when performing an assessment of the ears.