Ear, Nose & Throat

Dr. Rob explains · In children who have chronic ear infections, very small tubes may be needed to allows pus to drain from the middle ear and avoid a build up of pressure. In order to install these tiny tubes, an incision into the eardrum needs to be made called a tympanotomy. This medical term utilizes two word parts: tympano – referring to the eardrum and - otomy meaning incision.

Dr. Rob explains · When the word part dys- meaning difficult or poor is blended with the word part - phasia meaning to speak, the medical term dysphasia is used to describe a difficulty in speaking or formulating words. In dysphasia, a stroke or other condition may have changed brain processing making speech difficult. This is different than aphasia as described in the last segment. In this case, the process of speaking is impaired but not completely lost. Similar to aphonia from the last segment, dysphonia is difficulty making a sound with the voice perhaps due to vocal cord damage. Again, the ability to create a sound is impaired but not lost completely.

Dr. Rob explains · During colds or flu infections, irritation of the nasal passages as well as surrounding nasal tissue is extremely common. This is referred to as rhinitis or inflammation of the nose. This medical term has two word parts: rhino – referring to the nose and - itis meaning inflammation.

Dr. Rob explains · When the word part rhino - meaning nose is blended with the word part -plasty meaning to surgically fix, we have the medical term rhinoplasty which refers to the surgical repair of the nose. Many people may associate these procedures with elective plastic surgery for the purpose of enhancing perceived beauty. However, as shown here, these procedures can be medically necessary for conditions such as a deviated septum in the nose or a nose injury where the nose has become off center.

Dr. Rob explains · Commonly referred to as a "runny nose", rhinorrhea is the medical term for nasal discharge by using the word parts rhino – meaning nose and the word part -- rrhea meaning discharge. Thin watery discharge from the nasal passages can be from diseases such as the common cold or allergies. However, rhinorrhea can also be as a result of normal activities such as exercise and exposure to changing temperatures.