What does a healthy eardrum look like through an otoscope?
The only way to know for sure if your child has one is for a doctor to look inside her ear with a tool called an otoscope, a tiny flashlight with a magnifying lens. A healthy eardrum (shown here) looks sort of clear and pinkish-gray. An infected one looks red and swollen.
How would you describe normal Otoscopic findings?
Typical findings on otoscopy include a bulging red, yellow or cloudy tympanic membrane with an associated air-fluid level behind the membrane. There may also be discharge in the auditory canal if the tympanic membrane has perforated.
How do you describe the tympanic membrane?
The tympanic membrane is also called the eardrum. It separates the outer ear from the middle ear. When sound waves reach the tympanic membrane they cause it to vibrate. The vibrations are then transferred to the tiny bones in the middle ear.
What are the landmarks of a healthy tympanic membrane?
A healthy, normal eardrum is cone-shaped. The edges attach the tympanic annulus, and the center (the top of the cone) is formed at the end of the manubrium in the middle of the drum.
What are the normal tympanic membrane landmarks seen on Otoscopy?
The most prominate landmark on the tympanic membrane is the malleus handle. The pars tensa forms the majority of the membrane with the pars flaccida in a triangular shape superiorly.
How would the normal tympanic membrane appear during an Otoscopic examination?
A normal tympanic membrane is convex, translucent, and intact. Gently squeeze the bulb on the otoscope to create positive pressure on the tympanic membrane and observe the degree of tympanic membrane mobility.
How would you describe a normal ear drum?
Normally, the canal is skin-colored and has small hairs. Yellowish-brown earwax may be present. The eardrum is a light-gray color or a shiny pearly-white. Light should reflect off the eardrum surface.
How would you describe a normal ear exam?
Ears – The pinna, tragus, and ear canal are non-tender and without swelling. The ear canal is clear without discharge. The tympanic membrane is normal in appearance with a good cone of light. Hearing is intact with good acuity to whispered voice.
Which structure should be best visualized when examining the normal tympanic membrane?
The external canal should always be routinely inspected for infection, debris and bony narrowing such as exostoses. The features of the tympanic membrane and middle ear should be systematically examined – including the malleus, the cone of light, pars tensa and pars flaccida of the ear drum.