Cerumen
Cerumen
Cerumen, also known as earwax, is a natural substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It is a yellowish waxy material that plays a crucial role in protecting and lubricating the ear.
Pronunciation
Cerumen is pronounced as /sɪˈruːmən/.
Etymology
The term "Cerumen" is derived from the Latin word 'cera' meaning wax.
Function
Cerumen helps to protect the skin of the human ear canal, assists in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection against bacteria, fungi, insects, and water.
Types of Cerumen
There are two distinct genetically determined types of earwax: the wet type, which is primarily brown and sticky, and the dry type, which is gray and flaky.
Related Terms
- Ceruminous glands: These are specialized sweat glands that produce cerumen. They are located in the outer third of the ear canal.
- Ear canal: The tube-like structure that extends from the outer ear to the eardrum.
- Eardrum: The thin membrane that separates the ear canal from the middle ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves.
- Otitis externa: Also known as swimmer's ear, it is an inflammation of the ear canal. It can be caused by excessive cerumen production.
- Ceruminosis: This is a condition characterized by the excessive buildup of cerumen in the ear canal, which can lead to hearing loss if not properly managed.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cerumen
- Wikipedia's article - Cerumen
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski