quency of episodes because it helps prevent the
accumulation of fluid throughout the body, includ-
ing in the inner ear. The doctor may also prescribe
a diuretic medication to further minimize fluid
retention. Local and online support groups can pro-
vide encouragement and anecdotal information
about successful symptom management methods.
See also BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO
(BPPV); LABYRINTHITIS; PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM;
VESTIBULAR NEURONITIS.
mouth The facial structure that provides the sen-
sory function of taste, performs the mechanics of
speech, and prepares food for entry into the gas-
trointestinal system. The base of the skull estab-
lishes the roof of the mouth; the mandible, or lower
jaw, establishes the floor of the mouth. The muscu-
lar cheeks help move food through the mouth dur-
ing mastication (chewing) as well as shape the
mouth for forming the sounds of speech. The
tongue contains most of the taste buds, specialized
papillae (or bumps) that contain the taste cells,
though some taste buds appear on the soft palate
and back of the THROAT. The tongue also moves food
through the mouth and then pushes it to the top of
the throat for swallowing. The tongue’s shape and
placement within the mouth help direct the flow of
air and sound during speech. The TEETHfunction
primarily to tear and pulverize food and also pro-
vide a solid structure for the tongue to push against
during speech. SALIVARY GLANDS produce saliva,
which keeps the inside of the mouth wet and aids
in breaking down food to pass down the throat.
COMMON CONDITIONS AFFECTING
THE STRUCTURES OF THE MOUTHCANKER SORE CLEFT PALATE/CLEFT PALATE
COLD SORE AND LIP
GLOSSITIS DENTAL CARIES
HALITOSIS HAIRY TONGUE
PERIODONTAL DISEASE LEUKOPLAKIA
SIALOLITHIASIS SIALADENITIS
SPEECH DISORDER SIALORRHEA
TOOTHACHE THRUSH
For further discussion of the mouth within the
context of otolaryngologic structure and function
please see the overview section “The Ear, Nose,
Mouth, and Throat.”
See also NOSE.myringitis INFLAMMATION and irritation of the
TYMPANIC MEMBRANE (eardrum), usually as the
result of a viral or bacterial INFECTION. The charac-
teristic symptom is the sudden onset of PAIN,
sometimes severe. Many people also experience
temporary HEARING LOSSin the affected EAR. In bul-
lous myringitis (also called myringitis bullosa),
fluid-filled, blisterlike vesicles form on the tym-
panic membrane and cause intense pain. Some-
times the doctor lances, or carefully punctures
with a MYRINGOTOMYscalpel, the vesicles to release
the fluid and relieve the pain. OTITISmedia, infec-
tion of the middle ear, can extend to involve the
tympanic membrane. The pain associated with
this form of myringitis often includes the sensa-
tion of pressure. Doctors typically prescribe ANTIBI-
OTIC MEDICATIONS to treat the infection and
ANALGESIC MEDICATIONSto relieve the pain. Appro-
priate treatment resolves most myringitis in 10 to
14 days, and any temporary hearing loss returns.
Occasionally myringitis causes the tympanic mem-
brane to perforate, which may require further
medical treatment.
See also RUPTURED EARDRUM; TYMPANOPLASTY.myringotomy A surgical incision in the TYMPANIC
MEMBRANE(eardrum) to allow fluid in the middle
EARto drain out. Fluid in the middle ear is a key
symptom of OTITISmedia (middle ear infection).
The buildup of pressure causes considerable PAIN
and can cause the tympanic membrane to perfo-
rate (tear or rupture). When otitis media is
chronic or recurrent, the surgeon places a tympa-
nostomy tube in the incision to retain a pathway
for drainage to continue. The tube is very small
and generally falls out within several months,
then the opening in the tympanic membrane
heals closed. The OPERATIONis a same-day surgery
done under general anesthetic, and usually takes
no longer than 20 minutes per ear. Recovery is
rapid.
See also MASTOIDITIS; RUPTURED EARDRUM; SURGERY
BENEFIT AND RISK ASSESSMENT; TYMPANOPLASTY.myringotomy 35