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Otoscope
An otoscope or auriscope is a medical device used by healthcare professionals to examine the ear canal and eardrum. This may be done as part of routine physical examinations, or for evaluating specific ear complaints, such as earaches, sense of fullness in the ear, or hearing loss.
An otoscope enables viewing and examination of the ear canal and tympanic membrane (eardrum). As the eardrum is the border between the external ear canal and the middle ear, its characteristics can indicate various diseases of the middle ear space.[citation needed] Otoscopic examination can help diagnose conditions such as acute otitis media (infection of the middle ear), otitis externa (infection of the outer ear),[citation needed] traumatic perforation of the eardrum, and cholesteatoma.
The presence of cerumen (earwax), shed skin, pus, canal skin edema, foreign bodies, and various ear diseases, can obscure the view of the eardrum and thus compromise the value of otoscopy done with a common otoscope, but can confirm the presence of obstructing symptoms.
Otoscopes can also be used to examine patients' noses (avoiding the need for a separate nasal speculum) and upper throats (by removing the speculum).[citation needed]
The most common otoscopes consist of a handle and a head. The head contains a light source and a magnifying lens, typically around 8 diopters (3× magnification),[citation needed] to help illuminate and enlarge ear structures. The distal (front) end of the otoscope has an attachment for disposable plastic ear specula.
The examiner first pulls on the pinna (usually the earlobe, side or top) to straighten the ear canal, and then inserts the ear speculum side of the otoscope into the outer ear. It is important to brace the index or little finger of the hand holding the otoscope against the patient's head to avoid injuring the ear canal. The examiner then looks through the lens on the rear of the instrument to see inside the ear canal.
In many models, the examiner can remove the lens and insert instruments like specialized suction tips through the otoscope into the ear canal, such as for removing earwax. Most models also have an insertion point for a bulb that pushes air through the speculum (pneumatic otoscopy) for testing eardrum mobility.
Many otoscopes for doctors' offices are wall-mounted, with an electrical cord providing power from an electric outlet. Portable otoscopes powered by batteries (usually rechargeable) in the handle are also available.
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Otoscope
An otoscope or auriscope is a medical device used by healthcare professionals to examine the ear canal and eardrum. This may be done as part of routine physical examinations, or for evaluating specific ear complaints, such as earaches, sense of fullness in the ear, or hearing loss.
An otoscope enables viewing and examination of the ear canal and tympanic membrane (eardrum). As the eardrum is the border between the external ear canal and the middle ear, its characteristics can indicate various diseases of the middle ear space.[citation needed] Otoscopic examination can help diagnose conditions such as acute otitis media (infection of the middle ear), otitis externa (infection of the outer ear),[citation needed] traumatic perforation of the eardrum, and cholesteatoma.
The presence of cerumen (earwax), shed skin, pus, canal skin edema, foreign bodies, and various ear diseases, can obscure the view of the eardrum and thus compromise the value of otoscopy done with a common otoscope, but can confirm the presence of obstructing symptoms.
Otoscopes can also be used to examine patients' noses (avoiding the need for a separate nasal speculum) and upper throats (by removing the speculum).[citation needed]
The most common otoscopes consist of a handle and a head. The head contains a light source and a magnifying lens, typically around 8 diopters (3× magnification),[citation needed] to help illuminate and enlarge ear structures. The distal (front) end of the otoscope has an attachment for disposable plastic ear specula.
The examiner first pulls on the pinna (usually the earlobe, side or top) to straighten the ear canal, and then inserts the ear speculum side of the otoscope into the outer ear. It is important to brace the index or little finger of the hand holding the otoscope against the patient's head to avoid injuring the ear canal. The examiner then looks through the lens on the rear of the instrument to see inside the ear canal.
In many models, the examiner can remove the lens and insert instruments like specialized suction tips through the otoscope into the ear canal, such as for removing earwax. Most models also have an insertion point for a bulb that pushes air through the speculum (pneumatic otoscopy) for testing eardrum mobility.
Many otoscopes for doctors' offices are wall-mounted, with an electrical cord providing power from an electric outlet. Portable otoscopes powered by batteries (usually rechargeable) in the handle are also available.