otitis externa
- noun
- /oʊˈtaɪtɪs ɛkˈstɜrnə/
- Specialized
- Inflammation of the pinna can occur in conjunction with polychondritis and otitis externa.
- acute otitis externa
- chronic otitis externa
- malignant otitis externa
Examples
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Children are more prone to otitis externa during summer because they frequently swim, exposing their ears to moisture.
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Otitis externa occurs as a result of trauma to the external ear canal.
Academic text (2006) -
We need a defined treatment plan for a patient with otitis externa.
Academic text (2006) -
Otitis externa is also caused by hearing aids and excessive moisture, especially during hot and humid weather.
Academic text (2006) -
Dr. Billy Giles: Acute uncomplicated otitis externa is more common in adults than children.
Academic text (2006) -
Fungal infections often follow bacterial infections in patients with otitis externa.
Academic text (2004) -
Dr. Giles: Otologists know, and primary care physicians should know that otitis externa represents a bacterial infection that requires antimicrobial treatment.
Academic text (2006) -
The two most common pathogens in cases of otitis externa and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) are S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.
Academic text (2005) -
If you notice pain and redness in your ear, it could be a sign of otitis externa, which often needs treatment.
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The doctor diagnosed her with otitis externa after she complained of itching and discharge from her ear.
Synonyms
Swelling or infection in the ear that causes pain
Surface Forms
Morphology
The term is a straightforward Latinate compound: 'otitis' denotes an ear inflammation and 'externa' means outer/external, so the sense 'inflammation of the outer ear' is directly derivable from the parts following standard medical naming patterns. Although the vocabulary is technical, a learner who knows both constituents can transparently infer the overall meaning; cross-linguistic medical parallels (e.g., Spanish/French equivalents) make this composition predictable.
Etymology
Otitis externa is a medical name made from parts meaning 'ear' (otitis) and 'outer' (externa). It gives a clear picture of the outer ear or ear canal being swollen or infected, so it means 'inflammation of the outer ear'.