Otoscope
Otoscope
An otoscope (pronounced oh-toh-skohp) is a medical device used by healthcare professionals to examine the ear. It is a key tool in the diagnosis of ear infections and other conditions affecting the ear.
Etymology
The term otoscope comes from the Greek words "otos" meaning ear and "skopein" meaning to look or see. Thus, an otoscope is a tool for looking at the ear.
Usage
An otoscope consists of a handle and a head that contains a light source and a simple low-power magnifying lens. The healthcare professional uses the otoscope to look into the ear canal and visualize the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. This can help identify signs of infection, blockage, or damage to the ear.
Related Terms
- Audiology: The branch of science that studies hearing, balance, and related disorders.
- Tympanic membrane: Also known as the eardrum, it is a thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear.
- Otitis media: An infection or inflammation of the middle ear.
- Otitis externa: An inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal.
- Ear canal: The tube-like structure that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Otoscope
- Wikipedia's article - Otoscope
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