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meatus

meatus

1 9.9
A natural opening or narrow passage in the body, for example the ear
  • noun
  • /ˈmiːətəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : meato
  • The middle meatus appeared to be free of disease.
  • auditory meatus
  • external meatus
  • inferior meatus

Examples

  • Examination of the right external auditory meatus revealed that it was filled with a reddish polypoid mass.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Our examination revealed the presence of a thick mucoid discharge from the right middle meatus.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Our initial therapy is to clean the meatus or the cavity by dry mopping.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Examination of the right nasal fossae of Case 2 showed a pink mass in the middle meatus.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Nasal endoscopy revealed the presence of a tumor at the inferior meatus.

    Academic text (2010)
  • On nasal endoscopy, a friable mass was observed at the inferior meatus.

    Academic text (2010)
  • In addition, cholesteatoma may extend into the geniculate ganglion and the internal acoustic meatus.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Profuse, foul-smelling pus could be seen oozing from the left middle meatus.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Swab specimens of the middle meatus and sphenoethmoid recess were aseptically obtained endoscopically and cultured for aerobes.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The middle meatus appeared to be free of disease.

Synonyms

sinus
vsmeatus
  • Specialized
7 4.8

A wide channel in the body that holds blood instead of a normal vessel

is the general term for any natural body opening or passage
auditory meatus
vsmeatus
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A passage in the outer ear from the ear opening to the eardrum

is the general term for any natural body opening or passage
nasal meatus
vsmeatus
  • Specialized
9.9

A passage inside the nose between curved bony ridges

is the general term for any natural body opening or passage
acoustic meatus
vsmeatus
  • Specialized
8.1

A short passage in the outer ear leading to the eardrum

is the general term for any natural body opening or passage
alveus
vsmeatus
  • Specialized
9.9

A shallow hollow in an organ, for example in the brain

is the general term for any natural body opening or passage

Compounds

auditory meatus
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A passage in the outer ear from the ear opening to the eardrum

acoustic meatus
  • Specialized
8.1

A short passage in the outer ear leading to the eardrum

nasal meatus
  • Specialized
9.9

A passage inside the nose between curved bony ridges

Surface Forms

meatus singular
meatuses plural

Etymology

The word meatus comes from the Latin verb meare, which means 'to go'. So a meatus is a natural 'passage' or opening in the body, a place where things go through.