medical abbreviations

1. Special Senses:
The Eye and Ear
Daniel Costa

2. PE tube
• The pressure equalizing tube is surgically
placed in a child’s ear in order to help in
drainage and equalize pressure between the
middle ear and the outside atmosphere.

3. EENT
• Eye, ear, nose, and throat. Typically used in
referring to the medical filed.

4. BC
• Bone conduction refers to the way we hear
sound. Sound waves vibrate the ear canal,
ossicles, the fluid in the cochlea, bend small
hairs, and then stimulate the nerves. They
then send signals to the brain through the
vestibulocochlear nerve and are interpreted
by the brain.

5. AU
• Abbreviation meaning both ears.

6. OM
• Oitis media is a condition commonly called a
middle ear infection. It is frequently seen in
children following an upper respiratory
infection. Fluid accumulates in the middle ear
cavity.

7. EM
• Emmetropia is the state of normal vision.

8. XT
• Exotropia is the outward turning of the eye
commonly called “wall eyed”

9. OS
• Left eye.

10. EOM
• Extraocular movement pertains to the
movenment outside of the eye.

11. VA
• Visual acuity refers to the sharpness of
someone’s vison. A Snellen chart is used to
determine it by having the patient identify
letters at a distance.