OTITIS MEDIA Meaning and
Definition
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Otitis media is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation or infection of the middle ear, which is the area situated between the eardrum and the innermost part of the ear. This condition primarily affects children but can also occur in adults.
The middle ear contains the auditory ossicles, small bones that vibrate in response to sound waves and transmit these vibrations to the inner ear. Otitis media occurs when the Eustachian tube, a narrow passage connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat, becomes blocked or swollen. This blockage can be caused by factors such as common colds, allergies, or respiratory infections, allowing bacteria or viruses to accumulate in the middle ear.
Symptoms of otitis media may include ear pain, reduced hearing, fever, irritability (particularly in infants and young children), fluid drainage from the ear, and a sensation of fullness in the affected ear. If left untreated, it can lead to complications such as ear drum perforation or the spread of infection to nearby structures.
Treatment for otitis media often involves antibiotic medications to combat bacterial infections, pain relievers to alleviate discomfort, and sometimes surgical intervention to drain accumulated fluids. It is crucial to promptly seek medical attention, as unresolved or recurring cases of otitis media can lead to chronic ear problems or hearing loss.
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Inflammation of the middle ear, or tympanum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for OTITIS MEDIA
- ititis media
- ktitis media
- ltitis media
- ptitis media
- 0titis media
- 9titis media
- oritis media
- ofitis media
- ogitis media
- oyitis media
- o6itis media
- o5itis media
- otutis media
- otjtis media
- otktis media
- ototis media
- ot9tis media
- ot8tis media
- otiris media
Etymology of OTITIS MEDIA
The term otitis media comes from the Latin words otitis meaning inflammation of the ear and media meaning middle.
Similar spelling words for OTITIS MEDIA
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