Stapediotenotomy is a medical term that refers to a procedure involving the stapes bone in the middle ear. The word is spelled as "stæ.pid.i.o.tə.'nɒ.tə.mi" in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable "stæ" is pronounced like "sta" as in "stand", followed by "pid" pronounced as "pih-d" as in "piddle". "I.o.tə" is pronounced as "eye-oh-tuh" and "nɒ.tə.mi" as "naht-uh-mee". The spelling of this word may seem complicated, but it accurately reflects the precise nature of the procedure it describes.
Stapediotenotomy is a medical procedure that involves the surgical incision of the stapes footplate in the middle ear to improve hearing in patients who have conductive hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss refers to a condition where sound is not properly transmitted to the inner ear due to the obstruction or dysfunction of certain parts of the middle ear, such as the stapes bone.
During a stapediotenotomy, a surgeon uses specialized instruments to create a small hole or incision in the stapes footplate, which is a thin, oval-shaped bone in the middle ear. This incision allows for improved sound transmission to the inner ear by bypassing any obstructions or impairments in the normal functioning of the stapes.
The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and may be recommended for patients with conditions such as otosclerosis, a progressive condition that causes abnormal bone growth around the stapes bone, thereby limiting its movement and resulting in hearing loss.
Stapediotenotomy has been shown to have a high success rate in improving hearing in patients with conductive hearing loss due to otosclerosis. It is considered a relatively safe procedure, although as with any surgical intervention, there are potential risks and complications that need to be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Overall, stapediotenotomy can potentially restore or significantly improve hearing in individuals with conductive hearing loss, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.
Division of the tendon of the stapedius muscle.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "stapediotenotomy" is derived from two main components: "stapedio" and "tenotomy".
1. "Stapedio" refers to the stapedius muscle, which is a small muscle found in the middle ear. This muscle is responsible for controlling the movement of the stapes bone, one of the three tiny bones (ossicles) that transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
2. "Tenotomy" is a medical term that refers to a surgical procedure involving the cutting or releasing of a tendon.
When combined, "stapediotenotomy" literally means the surgical incision or cutting of the stapedius muscle tendon. This procedure is performed to treat certain hearing disorders, particularly when the stapedius muscle is involved in pathological conditions that affect the functioning of the stapes bone within the ear.