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otoscopy

otoscopy

1 6.5
A medical check that looks inside the ear canal and eardrum using a small tool
  • noun
  • /əˈtɑːskəpi/
  • Specialized
: otoscopia
  • The doctor performed an otoscopy to check for any issues in the patient's ear canal.
  • pneumatic otoscopy
  • otoscopy and tympanometry
  • video-otoscopy

Examples

  • During the otoscopy, the specialist noticed some wax buildup in the eardrum.

  • We recommend that video-otoscopy be used whenever possible.

    Academic text (2008)
  • There was no variation in sensitivity and specificity among testers for otoscopy and tympanometry.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The primary outcome measures were resolution of otorrhoea and healing of tympanic membranes on otoscopy by 8, 12, and 16 weeks after induction.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Otoscopy revealed a polypoid growth emanating from a right central tympanic membrane perforation.

    Academic text (2008)
  • All patients provided a thorough ENT history, and all underwent a thorough ENT examination by direct otoscopy and, when necessary, microscopy.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Otoscopy revealed an auto mastoid cavity with extensive edema, granulation tissue, and exposed bone.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Diagnostic tests include pneumatic otoscopy, audiometry (including tympanometry), and acoustic reflectometry.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Saeed et al. compared the value of otoscopy, tympanometry, and tympanocentesis in detecting AOM, with and without effusion, in 90 children.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Before diagnosing the infection, the physician conducted an otoscopy of the patient's ear.

Surface Forms

otoscopy singular
otoscopies plural

Morphology

otoscopy = otoscope (semi-transparent) = oto + scopy

The relation between 'otoscope' (instrument) and 'otoscopy' (examination) is regular and predictable, but both elements are technical combining forms unfamiliar to average learners.

Etymology

Otoscopy breaks into oto- meaning 'ear' and -scopy meaning 'to look' or 'examine', like in microscope and telescope. So otoscopy is 'looking into the ear', which is why it means a medical examination of the ear with an otoscope.