Sense Organs

Terms	Definitions
conjunctivitis	Pink eye
amblyopia	lazy eye
astigmatism	abnormal shape of the cornea that causes blurred vision
cataract	clouding of the natural lens of the eye
glaucoma	Increased pressure in the eye caused by too much aqueous humor
hyperopia	farsightedness; difficulty seeing close objects when light rays extend beyond the proper focus on the retina
myopia	nearsightedness; the condition in which parallel rays of light are brought into focus in front of the retina, rather than on it
presbyopia	farsightedness resulting from a reduced ability to focus caused by loss of elasticity of the crystalline lens with age
strabismus	crossed eyes
conductive hearing loss	occurs when sound waves are not conducted to the inner ear; causes are wax, foreign body obstruction, otosclerosis, ruptured tympanic membrane and infection;
sensory hearing loss	deafness; occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or auditory canal. This type of hearing loss usually cannot be corrected
Meniere's disease	Collection of fluid in the labyrinth of the inner ear and a degeneration of the hair cells in the cochlea and vestibule. Causes severe vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and tinnitus
otitis externa	inflammation of the external ear (including auricle and ear canal)
otitis media	middle ear infection
myringotomy	surgical incision into the eardrum (to relieve pressure or release pus from the middle ear)
otosclerosis	occurs when the stapes becomes immoble, causing conductive hearing loss. s/s= gradual hearing loss, tinnitus, and sometimes vertigo. tx= surgical removal of the stapes and insertion of an artificial stapes
papillae	small bumps on the tongue that contain taste buds
olfactory	pertaining to the sense of smell
ophthalmologist	a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye
optometrist	a non-medical specialist who measures powers of vision and fits corrective lenses to correct visual defects