Intratympanic is an ear-related term that refers to a medical procedure involving the inner ear. The word is spelled with 4 syllables: /ɪn.trə.tɪmˈpæn.ɪk/. The first syllable starts with the vowel sound /ɪ/, followed by the consonant sound /n/ and the vowel sound /ə/. The second syllable starts with the consonant sound /t/, followed by the vowel sound /ɪ/ and the consonant sound /m/. The third syllable starts with the consonant sound /p/ followed by the vowel sound /æ/ and ends with the consonant sound /n/. The final syllable starts with the vowel sound /ɪ/ and ends with the consonant sound /k/.
Intratympanic, also known as intratympanically, is an adjective that describes a medical procedure or treatment carried out within the tympanic cavity of the middle ear. The term combines "intra," which means "within" or "inside," and "tympanic," referring to the middle ear or an anatomical structure associated with the ear.
The middle ear is a small, air-filled space located between the eardrum and the inner ear. It houses three tiny bones called ossicles, which play a crucial role in the transmission of sound waves from the outer ear to the inner ear. Additionally, the middle ear communicates with the nasopharynx through the Eustachian tube, an air channel that helps equalize pressure between the middle ear and the environment.
When a medical procedure or treatment is administered intratympanically, it means that the intervention occurs directly within the middle ear. This can involve the injection of medication, such as steroids or antibiotics, into the middle ear space to treat conditions like otitis media, Meniere's disease, or sudden sensorineural hearing loss. It may also involve the injection of therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapy drugs, for the treatment of middle ear tumors.
This technique allows the medication to be delivered directly to the affected area, maximizing its effectiveness and minimizing side effects. Intratympanic treatments are generally performed by trained healthcare professionals, such as otolaryngologists or audiologists, using specialized instruments and under appropriate sterile conditions.
Within the tympanum, or middle ear.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "intratympanic" is derived from Latin and Greek roots.
The prefix "intra-" comes from Latin and means "inside" or "within". It is commonly used to indicate something happening or located inside a particular organ or structure.
The root word "tympan-" comes from the Greek word "tympanon" which means "drum". In this context, it refers to the tympanic membrane or eardrum, which is a thin layer of tissue that separates the outer ear from the middle ear.
The suffix "-ic" is derived from Latin and is commonly used to form adjectives. It signifies "relating to" or "pertaining to".
So, when combined, "intratympanic" literally means "inside the eardrum" or "within the tympanic membrane".