How do you inspect and palpate an external ear?
Procedure
- Inspect the auricles and the surrounding tissue for skin changes, nodules, and deformities.
- Grasp the helix superiorly between the thumb and forefinger one at a time and gently pull up and backward to check for discomfort anywhere in the external ear.
- Palpate the tragus and mastoid process for tenderness.
How do you inspect an external auditory canal?
Method Of Exam The otoscopic exam is performed by gently pulling the auricle upward and backward. In children, the auricle should be pulled downward and backward. This process will move the acoustic meatus in line with the canal. Hold the otoscope like a pen/pencil and use the little finger area as a fulcrum.
How do you describe an external ear?
The outer ear, external ear, or auris externa is the external part of the ear, which consists of the auricle (also pinna) and the ear canal. It gathers sound energy and focuses it on the eardrum (tympanic membrane).
What instrument is used to examine the external ear?
The Physician uses a specialized instrument called an “otoscope” (“oto” = Ear; and “scope” = to view) to examine an ear. The otoscope allows the physician to not only magnify the small areas of the ear but it also provides light for the areas that are to be viewed.
What structures will you inspect when assessing the external ear?
An ear examination can find problems in the ear canal, eardrum, and middle ear. These problems may include infection, too much earwax, or an object like a bean or a bead. During an ear examination, a tool called an otoscope is used to look at the outer ear canal and eardrum.
What is a bulging tympanic membrane?
Total bulging is defined as a convex-appearing tympanic membrane with loss of visualization of the lateral process and/or the manubrium of the malleus bone. Often, there is a diagonal cleft in the bulging tympanic membrane where its fibers are tightly adherent to the handle of the malleus.
What are some things to assess for when performing an external ear assessment?
The otoscope should be gently inserted into the external auditory canal. Any discomfort doing so should be noted. The canal should be assessed for any edema, exudate, wax, foreign bodies, and the presence or absence of a mastoid cavity (from a previous ‘canal-wall-down’ mastoidectomy).
How do you describe TM?
A normal TM is a translucent pale gray. An opaque yellow or blue TM is consistent with MEE. Dark red indicates a recent trauma or blood behind the TM. A dark pink or lighter red TM is consistent with AOM or hyperemia of the TM caused by crying, coughing, or nose blowing.
What is the basic function of the outer ear?
The Outer Ear It collects sound waves and channels them into the ear canal (external auditory meatus), where the sound is amplified. The sound waves then travel toward a flexible, oval membrane at the end of the ear canal called the eardrum, or tympanic membrane.
What can a doctor see with an otoscope?
An ear examination can find problems in the ear canal, eardrum, and the middle ear. During an ear examination, a tool called an otoscope is used to look at the outer ear canal and eardrum.
What is the purpose of otoscope?
An otoscope is a tool which shines a beam of light to help visualize and examine the condition of the ear canal and eardrum. Examining the ear can reveal the cause of symptoms such as an earache, the ear feeling full, or hearing loss.
What to look for in an external ear canal exam?
External Ear Canal. Inspect the outer aspect of the external ear canal using the otoscope as a light source. Gently straighten out the ear canal by pulling the external ear superiorly and posteriorly. Look for signs of: Wax or a foreign body. Skin changes or erythema.
How should I approach the examination of the ear?
Approach the examination in a systematic way, starting from the outer parts of the ear before moving to the inner parts of the ear; be prepared to be instructed to move on quickly to certain sections by any examiner. Inspect the outer aspect of the external ear canal using the otoscope as a light source
How to diagnose an ear infection?
Ear Examination 1 Your doctor can examine your ear to diagnose an ear infection… 2 An ear exam may be slightly uncomfortable or painful… 3 Your doctor may dim the lights in the exam room… 4 Cost of an Ear Examination. Refer your company to Amino,…
What does it mean when a doctor examines your ear?
Your doctor can examine your ear to diagnose an ear infection or to see if treatments for an ear condition are working. Ear infections are common, especially in children. Why is an ear examination performed?