oto-, ot-, -otic +

(Greek: ear; relationship to the ear)

otorrhea
1. A discharge from the ear.
2. A discharge from the external auditory meatus.
otosalpinx
Tuba auditiva or auditory tube.

A channel lined with mucous membrane, that establishes communication between the tympanic cavity and the nasopharynx and serves to adjust the pressure of gas in the cavity to the external pressure, as well as for mucociliary clearance of the middle ear.

otosclerosis (s) (noun), otoscleroses (pl)
1. A disorder of the middle ear that results in progressive deafness: Otosclerosis normally affects both ears and it usually occurs early in adult life.
2. The abnormal formation of new bone in the middle ear that gradually immobilizes the stapes (stirrup bone) and prevents it from vibrating in response to sounds, causing progressive loss of hearing: The deafness caused byotosclerosis may be partially overcome with a hearing aid, but surgery is eventually needed and this involves replacing the stapes bone with a synthetic substitute (stapedectomy).
otosclerotic
Characterized by otosclerosis or a pathologic change in the middle and inner ear resulting in the laying down of new bone around the oval window, the cochlea, or both, and causing progressive impairment of hearing.
otoscope
An instrument for looking in the ear.

It incorporates a light and a magnifying lens, which is used to examine the external canal of the ear and the eardrum.

otoscopy
1. The use of an otoscope to examine the ear.
2. Viewing or inspecting the tympanic membrane and other parts of the outer ear with an otoscope.
otosis
1. Mishearing or the alteration of words caused by the misapprehension of sound.
2. Incorrect hearing of words or the sounds of speech resulting in errors of speech perception and of verbal comprehension.
otospongiosis
1. A disease of the bone surrounding the inner ear, leading in approximately 15% of affected cases to impaired hearing, usually of the conductive kind.
2. The formation of spongy bone in the bony labyrinth of the ear.
ototomy
1. Dissection of the ear.
2. Incision of any of the tissues of the external auditory meatus (opening or passageway) or the ear proper.
ototoxic
1. Poisonous to the ear; applied particularly to drugs which are liable to cause such damage.
2. Having a detrimental effect on the organs of hearing.
ototoxicity
1. The quality of causing damage to the organs of hearing and balance.
2. Producing, involving, or having adverse effects on organs or nerves involved in hearing or balance.
panotitis
1. An inflammation of all the parts or structures of the ear.
2. Inflammation of the entire ear.
parotic
Situated or occurring near the ear.
parotid
1. Situated close to, beside, or near the ear.
2. Of or relating to a parotid gland.
parotid gland
1. A salivary gland situated at the base of each ear.
2. The largest of the three major salivary glands, it is located in front and below the ear and behind the jaw bone.

The other two glands are the submandibular located deep in the mandible, or jaw bone (submaxillary), and sublingual (underneath the tongue).

Related "ear" word families: auri-; myring-; tympano- (drum, stretched membrane).