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tympanostomy

tympanostomy

1 9.2
A small operation that makes a hole in the eardrum to let fluid out and make pressure equal
  • noun
  • /ˌtɪmpəˈnɑːstəmi/
  • Specialized
: timpanostomía
  • The tympanostomy procedure helped relieve the pressure in her ear from accumulated fluid.
  • tympanostomy tube
  • tympanostomy tube insertion
  • tympanostomy tube placement

Examples

  • If medication fails, most otolaryngologists resort to surgical placement of tympanostomy tubes.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Improved postoperative hearing was noted, and tympanostomy tube insertion was shown to be safe.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Another route is through a tympanostomy opening onto Gelfoam that has been placed in the round window niche.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Is there such an entity as CSOM in a child with a tympanostomy tube?

    Academic text (2005)
  • Post reported that biofilms have been isolated on tympanostomy tubes taken from children.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The nature of a tympanostomy tube's surface might be a determining factor in whether a biofilm forms.

    Academic text (2002)
  • In this office procedure, the wick is inserted through a tympanostomy tube into the round window niche.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Removing or replacing a tympanostomy tube has its advantages and disadvantages.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Parents and other caregivers expressed great satisfaction with tympanostomy tube insertion, and most would recommend the procedure.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Our cost analysis suggests that tympanostomy tube insertion is a cost-effective treatment for otitis media.

    Academic text (2005)

Synonyms

myringotomy
vstympanostomy
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small cut in the eardrum to drain fluid and ease pressure in the middle ear

is a small opening aimed mainly at drainage and pressure equalization
tympanotomy
vstympanostomy
  • Specialized
9.9

A small cut in the eardrum to drain fluid, relieve ear pressure, or fix the middle ear

is limited to a small opening for drainage and pressure equalization

Surface Forms

tympanostomy singular

Morphology

tympanostomy = tympanum + stoma (opaque) = tympano + stomy

The term is composed of medical combining forms (tympano- + -stomy) that are unlikely to be understood by a B1 learner, so the meaning is not transparently derivable from common English words.

Etymology

Tympanostomy comes from Greek parts tympano- meaning 'drum' and -stomy meaning 'opening'. So it literally means an 'opening in the drum', which explains why doctors make a small hole in the eardrum to let fluid out and make the pressure even.