Otic Disorders

What is the external auricle canal?

• The inner cartilaginous portion

• The outer cartilaginous portion

• The bony part of the ear

• The part of the ear that is responsible for hearing

What type of glands are present in the skin along the external auricle canal?

• Sebaceous glands

• Eccrine glands

• Apocrine and exocrine glands

• Ceruminous glands

What is cerumen?

• A type of bacteria found in the ear canal

• A hormone secreted by the ear

• A fatty fluid produced by the ear canal

• A type of wax that lubricates and protects the ear canal

What are the functions of cerumen? SATA

• Lubricates the ear canal

• Traps dust and debris

• Acts as a waterproof barrier

• Contains antimicrobial substances

What is the role of the thicker skin in the external auricle canal?

• To improve hearing

• To produce cerumen

• To protect the ear from foreign particles

• To regulate temperature

How does the process of self-cleaning occur in the ear canal?

• By using cotton swabs to remove cerumen

• By mixing the skin and cerumen and migrating out of the canal with jaw movements

• By using ear drops to dissolve cerumen

• By rinsing the ear canal with water

What are the natural defenses of the ear canal? SATA

• Coating of cerumen

• Acidic pH

• Hairs

• Coating of blood

What are some causes of excessive or impacted cerumen? SATA

• Narrowing or irregular shape of EAC

• Excessive hair

• Irritation from foreign objects (hearing aids, ear plugs)

• Cotton-tipped swabs

• Atrophy of ceruminous glands

What is the goal of treating excessive or impacted cerumen?

• To increase cerumen production

• To remove the cerumen safely and effectively while preventing potential adverse events

• To prevent the natural migration of cerumen out of the ear canal

Which of the following are Cerumen (earwax) softening agents? SATA

• Debrox

• Docusate sodium

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Olive oil/ Almond Oil

• Xalatan