Medical Terminology Simplified

Incision of the eardrum to relieve pressure and release pus or serous fluid from the

middle ear or to insert PE tubes (tympanostomy tubes) in the eardrum via surgery

(See Fig. 11–6.)

PE tubes provide ventilation and drainage of the middle ear when repeated ear infec-

tions do not respond to antibiotic treatment. They are used when persistent, severely neg-

ative middle ear pressure is present.

PHARMACOLOGY

The table below lists common drug categories used to treat urinary disorders, as well as their therapeutic actions.

Pharmacology • CHAPTER 11 535535

myringotomy

mĭr-ĭn-GŎT-ō-mē

myring/o: tympanic

membrane

(eardrum)

-tomy: incision

Figure 11-15Ear irrigation.

Pronunciation Help Long sound a ̄in ra ̄te e ̄in re ̄birth ı ̄in ı ̄sle o ̄in o ̄ver u ̄in u ̄nite

Short sound a ̆in a ̆lone e ̆in e ̆ver ̆ıin ı ̆t o ̆in no ̆t u ̆in cu ̆t

Drug Category Action

antiglaucoma agents

ăn-tĭ-glaw-KŌ-mă

miotics

mī-ŎT-ĭks

mydriatics

mĭd-rē-ĂT-ĭks

vertigo and motion

sickness drugs

VĔR-tĭ-gō

wax emulsifiers

ē-MŬL-sĭ-fī-ĕrs

Reduce intraocular pressure by lowering the amount of aqueous humor in the eyeball,

reducing its production, or increasing its outflow

Cause the pupil to constrict

Miotics are used to treat glaucoma.

Cause the pupil to dilate and prepare the eye for an internal examination

Mydriatics provide accurate measurements for prescribing corrective lenses.

Decrease sensitivity of the inner ear to motion and prevent nerve impulses from the inner

ear from reaching the vomiting center of the brain

Loosen and help remove impacted cerumen (ear wax)

Pronunciation Help Long sound a ̄in ra ̄te e ̄in re ̄birth ı ̄in ı ̄sle o ̄in o ̄ver u ̄in u ̄nite

Short sound a ̆in a ̆lone e ̆in e ̆ver ̆ıin ı ̆t o ̆in no ̆t u ̆in cu ̆t