Definition

Noun: - Inflammation of the external ear: A medical condition characterized by inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal and/or the auricle (the visible part of the ear). It is commonly known as "swimmer's ear."

Usage

This term is used in medical and general contexts to describe a specific ear ailment. - The doctor diagnosed the patient with otitis externa after she complained of ear pain following swimming. - Otitis externa is often caused by bacteria or fungi that thrive in a moist environment.

Advanced Usage

• "Malignant otitis externa": A severe, potentially life-threatening progression of the infection that spreads to the bones of the skull. This is almost exclusively seen in older patients with diabetes or individuals with compromised immune systems.
  • The elderly diabetic patient was hospitalized for treatment of malignant otitis externa.

Variants and Related Words

• Swimmer's ear (n): The common, non-medical term for otitis externa.
  • To prevent swimmer's ear, it's important to dry your ears thoroughly after swimming.

Synonyms

• External otitis: A direct synonym used interchangeably in medical terminology.
• Swimmer's ear: The common, descriptive synonym.

Related Phrases

• "Acute otitis externa": Refers to a sudden, short-term onset of the condition.
  • The child was treated for acute otitis externa with antibiotic ear drops.
• "Chronic otitis externa": Refers to a long-lasting or recurrent inflammation of the external ear canal.
  • The patient's chronic otitis externa required ongoing management by an ENT specialist.

Noun

1. inflammation of the external ear (including auricle and ear canal)