external auditory canal
- noun
- /ɪkˈstɜrnəl ˈɔːdɪtɔri ˈkænəl/
- Specialized
:
conducto auditivo externo
- Acute external otitis (AEO) is the most common infection of the external auditory canal.
- atresia of the external auditory canal
- stenosis of the external auditory canal
- tissue of the external auditory canal
Examples
-
Cold solutions placed in the external auditory canal can be quite uncomfortable, especially in children.
Academic text (2004) -
Middle ear injury frequently occurs as a result of trauma sustained directly through the external auditory canal.
Academic text (2006) -
Important complications can occur during surgery that is limited to the external auditory canal.
Academic text (2005) -
Occlusions and closures of the external auditory canal are rare and difficult to manage.
Academic text (2005) -
In affected patients, the tissue of the external auditory canal is edematous.
Academic text (2001) -
Ideally, patients with middle ear injury sustained through the external auditory canal are evaluated shortly after the traumatic event.
Academic text (2006) -
Physical examination revealed that a fleshy polypoid mass had occupied the entire external auditory canal.
Academic text (2005) -
Seborrheic dermatitis is the most common dermatologic condition to affect the external auditory canal.
Academic text (2001) -
Therefore, many topical medications designed for use in the external auditory canal are buffered to an acidic pH.
Academic text (2004) -
Cold solutions placed in the external auditory canal can be quite uncomfortable, especially in children.
Synonyms
3
3.4
A narrow tube in the outer ear that leads to the eardrum
1
4.9
A tube in the outer ear that leads to the eardrum
1
8.6
A passage in the outer ear from the ear opening to the eardrum
A short passage in the outer ear leading to the eardrum
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'external' (outer), 'auditory' (related to hearing) and 'canal' (tube/passage) combine to denote the tube in the outer ear leading to the eardrum. This adjective + adjective + noun construction is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
External auditory canal names the narrow tube from the outer ear to the eardrum. The parts external, auditory and canal mean 'outside', 'for hearing' and 'tube', so the phrase paints the image of an 'outside hearing tube' and explains why it refers to the ear passage that carries sound to the eardrum.