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194 THEEAR,NOSEANDTHROAT
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EAR
Anatomy and physiology
The ear is the specialised sensory organ of hearing and balance; it is divided anatomically into the external, middle and inner ear.
External ear
The external ear consists of the cartilaginous pinna, the external auditory canal (cartilage in the lateral one-third, bone in the medial two-thirds), and the lateral surface of the tympanic membrane (Fig. 9.1). Sound is collected and channelled by the pinna and transmitted via the external auditory canal to the tympanic membrane. The external auditory canal has an elon­gated S-shaped curve; hence it is important to retract the pinna when examining the ear to see the tympanic membrane clearly. The outer portion of the canal has hair and glands that produce ear wax, which forms a protective barrier.
Middle ear
The middle ear is an air-lled space that contains the three bony, articulated ossicles: the malleus, incus and stapes. The eusta­chian tube opens into the middle ear inferiorly and allows equalisation of pressure and ventilation. Vibrations of the tym­panic membrane are transmitted and amplied through the ossicular chain and focus on to the smaller oval window on which the stapes sits (see Fig. 9.1B). The malleus is attached to
the tympanic membrane and can be seen clearly on otoscopy (Fig. 9.2). The long process of the incus can also be visible oc­casionally. The tympanic membrane has a accid upper part (pars accida), and it is important to look carefully in this area as this is where a cholesteatoma (an invasive collection of kerati­nising squamous epithelium) can form. The chorda tympani nerve runs through the middle ear carrying taste bres from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue; these hitch a ridewith the facial nerve, which runs through the mastoid bone in the wall of the middle ear.
Inner ear
The inner ear contains the organs of hearing (cochlea) and bal­ance (vestibular system). The vibration of the stapes footplate stimulates uid within the cochlea, resulting in the movement of hair cells in the cochlea which are converted to electrical im­pulses along the vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII).
The vestibular system helps maintain balance, along with vi­sual input and proprioception. The vestibular part of the inner ear contains:
The lateral, superior and posterior semicircular canals: these
lie at right angles to detect rotational motion of their uid (endolymph) in three planes.
The utricle and the saccule: their hair cells are embedded in a
gel layer containing small crystals (otoliths), which are subject to gravity and enable detection of head tilt and linear acceleration.
Fig. 9.1 The ear. A The pinna. B Cross-section of the outer, middle and inner ear.
Helix
Triangular fossa
Antihelix
External auditory meatus
Tragus
Concha
Earlobe
Pinna
Earlobe
B
Auditory ossicles
Malleus Incus Stapes
(on oval window)
Semicircular canal Vestibular nerve
Cochlear nerve
Cochlea
Tympanic cavity Tympanic membrane
Eustachian tube
External auditory meatus
The history 195
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9
A
B
Fig. 9.2 Structures seen on otoscopic examination of the right ear. A Main structures. B Normal tympanic membrane.
The history
Common presenting symptom s
Pain and itching
Ask about:
quality of the pain
preceding trauma, upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)
associated symptoms: dysphagia/voice change (suggesting
possible referred pain from a throat lesion).
Otalgia (ear pain) associated with pruritus (itching) is often due to otitis externa. Acute otitis media is common in children and otalgia often follows an URTI. Other causes of otalgia are described in Box 9.1.
Ear discharge
Ask about:
purulent, mucoid or blood-stained discharge (otorrhoea)
associated pain.
A purulent discharge can be caused by otitis externa or acute otitis media with a perforation. A chronic offensive discharge may be a sign of cholesteatoma.
Blood-stained discharge may suggest the presence of gran­ulation tissue from infection or can be a result of trauma, with or without an associated cerebrospinal uid (CSF) leak.
Hearing loss
Ask about:
sudden or gradual onset
9.1 Causes and features of earache (otalgia)
Cause Clinical features
Otological
Acute otitis externa Pain worsens on touching outer ear, tragus
Acute otitis media Severe pain, red, bulging tympanic
Perichondritis Erythematous, swollen pinna Trauma Pinna haematoma, pinna laceration,
Herpes zoster (Ramsay Hunt syndrome) Malignancy Mass in ear canal or on pinna
Non-otological
Tonsillitis Peritonsillar abscess
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction Dental disease Toothache, e.g. due to dental abscess Cervical spine disease Neck pain/tenderness Cancer of the pharynx or larynx
precipitating factors: trauma, URTI, noise exposure, antibiotics
impact of the hearing loss on the patients function.
Hearing loss can be a result of disruption in the conduction
mechanism or may have sensorineural causes such as failure of
Swelling of ear canal Purulent discharge and itching
membrane, purulent discharge if tympanic membrane perforation present
haemotympanum (blood behind tympanic membrane); cerebrospinal uid leak or facial nerve palsy may be present Vesicles in ear canal, facial nerve palsy may be present; vertigo is common
Sore throat, tonsil inammation Trismus, soft-palate swelling in peritonsillar abscess Tenderness, clicking of joint on jaw opening
Associated sore throat, hoarseness, dysphagia, weight loss, neck lump
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the VIII nerve or cochlea (Box 9.2). Profound loss before speech acquisition affects speech development and quality.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is an awareness of a noise in the absence of an external stimulus.
Ask about:
quality of tinnitus: high-pitched, ringing, pulsatile
intermittent or constant nature
whether it is unilateral or bilateral
associated hearing loss or other ear symptoms.
Tinnitus is usually associated with hearing loss. An acoustic neuroma (a tumour of the vestibulocochlear nerve, cranial nerve VIII) needs to be considered in unilateral tinnitus or tinnitus with an asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a sensation of movement relative to ones surround­ings. Rotational movements are most common, and patients often have associated nausea, vomiting, and postural or gait instability. Vertigo can originate peripherally or, less often, cen­trally (brainstem, cerebellum). Patients will often say they are dizzywhen describing the illusion of movement that is vertigo. It is very important to clarify exactly what they mean by this. Lightheadedness is not a vestibular symptom, but unsteadiness may be.
Ask about:
duration and frequency of episodes
aggravating or provoking factors (position, head movement)
9.2 Causes of hearing loss
Conductive
Wax
Otitis externa
Middle ear effusion
Trauma to the tympanic
Sensorineural
Genetic, e.g. Alport’s
Prenatal infection, e.g.
Birth injury
Infection:
a
Disruption to the mechanical transfer of sound in the outer ear,
eardrum or ossicles.
b
Cochlear or central damage.
a
membrane/ossicles
syndrome
rubella
Meningitis
Measles
Mumps
b
Otosclerosis
Chronic middle ear infection
Tumours of the middle ear
Trauma
Ménière’s disease
Degenerative (presbyacusis)
Occupation- or other noise-induced
Acoustic neuroma
Idiopathic
associated fullness in the earduring the episode (Ménières disease)
associated focal neurology (cerebrovascular event)
uctuating hearing loss or tinnitus
associated headaches, nausea or aura (migraine)
previous signicant head injury; previous URTI.
The most common causes of vertigo include benign parox-
ysmal positional vertigo (attributed to debris within the pos­terior semicircular canal), vestibular neuritis (also known as vestibular neuronitis, a viral or postviral inammatory disorder) and Ménières disease (caused by excess endolymphatic uid pressure). Other causes include migraine, cerebral ischaemia, drugs and head trauma. Discriminating features are described in Box 9.3.
Nystagmus
Nystagmus is an involuntary rhythmic oscillation of the eyes, which can be horizontal, vertical, rotatory or multidirectional. It may be continuous, paroxysmal, or evoked by manoeuvres such as gaze or head position. The most common form, jerk nystagmus, consists of alternating phases of a slow drift in one direction with a corrective saccadic jerkin the opposite direc­tion. The direction of the fast jerk is used to dene the direction of nystagmus (Box 9.4). Pendular nystagmus, in which there is a sinusoidal oscillation without a fast phase, is less common. Nystagmus may be caused by disorders of the vestibular, visual or cerebellar pathway.
Past medical history
Ask about:
previous ear surgery, trauma
recurrent ear infections
systemic conditions associated with hearing loss (such as
granulomatosis with polyangiitis)
any signicant previous illnesses, such as meningitis, which can result in sensorineural hearing loss.
Drug history
The aminoglycoside antibiotics (such as gentamicin), aspirin, furosemide and some chemotherapy agents (cisplatin) are ototoxic.
Family history
Some causes of sensorineural hearing loss and otosclerosis are congenital. Otosclerosis causes a conductive hearing loss due to xation of the stapes footplate.
Social history
The patients occupation should be noted, as well as any sig­nicant previous exposure to loud noise.
9.3 Diagnosing vertigo
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The physical examination 197
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo Vestibular neuritis Ménières disease
Duration Seconds Days Hours Hours–migraine
Hearing loss
Tinnitus À À þþ À
Aural fullness
Episodic Yes Rarely Recurrent vertigo; persistent tinnitus and
Triggers Lying on affected ear Possible presence of upper
MS, Multiple sclerosis.
À À þþ À
À À þþ À
progressive sensorineural deafness
None Drugs (e.g., aminoglycosides)
respiratory symptoms
Central vertigo (migraine, MS, brainstem ischaemia, drugs)
Days and weeks – MS
Migraine–recurs Central nervous system damage–usually some recovery but often persistent
cardiovascular disease
9.4 Characteristics of nystagmus
Nystagmus type Clinical pathology Characteristics
Fast phase Maximal on looking
Jerk:
Peripheral Semicircular canal, vestibular nerve Unidirectional
Central Brainstem, cerebellum Bidirectional (changes with direction of gaze)
Dysconjugate (ataxic) Interconnections of III, IV and VI
nerves (medial longitudinal bundle)
Pendular Eyes, e.g., congenital blindness No fast phase Straight ahead
Not suppressed by optic xation Patient too dizzy to walk Dix–Hallpike fatigues on repetition
Suppressed by optic xation Patient can walk (even with nystagmus) Dix–Hallpike persists Typically affects the abducting eye To either side
Away from affected side
To either side
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The physical examination
Examination sequence (Video 18)
Inspection
Pinna skin, shape, size, position, scars from previous sur-
gery/trauma, deformity
Palpation
Gently pull on the pinna and push on the tragus to check for
pain.
Gently palpate over the mastoid bone behind the ear to
assess for pain or swelling.
Otoscopy
Use the largest otoscope speculum that will comfortably t
the meatus.
Explain to the patient what you are going to do.
Hold the otoscope in your right hand for examining the right
ear (left hand to examine left ear). Rest the ulnar border of your hand against the patients cheek to enable better control and to avoid trauma if the patient moves (Fig. 9.3).
Gently pull the pinna upwards and backwards to straighten
the cartilaginous external auditory canal. Use the left hand to retract the right pinna (see Fig. 9.3).
Inspect the external auditory canal through the speculum,
noting wax, foreign bodies or discharge. You should identify
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Fig. 9.3 Examination of the ear using an otoscope.
the tympanic membrane and the light reex anteroinferiorly (see Fig. 9.2).
Tympanic membrane perforations can be central or marginal, and the position and size of the perforation should be noted as a percentage (Fig. 9.6A). A severe retraction pocket of the pars tensa can mimic a perforation (see Fig. 9.6B). A retraction of the pars accida can contain a cholesteatoma, which may cause an offensive discharge and erode the bony ossicles, resulting in a conductive hearing loss (see Fig. 9.5C). Fluid behind the tym­panic membrane is called otitis media with effusion (OME, or glue ear, Fig. 9.7A), and a uid level may be seen (see
Fig. 9.7B). This commonly affects children and can be treated
surgically with insertion of a ventilation tube or grommet (see
Fig. 9.6C). If persistent OME is seen in adults, the postnasal
space needs to be examined by a specialist to exclude a lesion in that site. Acute otitis media presents with pain; the tympanic membrane can become inamed (see Fig. 9.7C), and may bulge and eventually perforate.
Testing hearing (Video 19)
Whispered voice test
Congenital deformities of the pinna, like microtia (Fig. 9.4A)or low-set ears, can be associated with other conditions such as hearing loss and Downs syndrome. Children can also have protruding ears that occasionally require corrective surgery (pinnaplasty). Trauma can result in a pinna haematoma (see
Fig. 9.4B) and subsequent cauliower eardue to cartilage ne-
crosis if untreated. Trauma may also cause mastoid bruising (Battles sign), suggesting a possible skull-base fracture. Le­sions on the pinna are relatively common and can be related to sun exposure; they include actinic keratosis, and basal cell and squamous cell cancers (see Fig. 9.4C).
If discharge is noted on otoscopy and the tympanic mem­brane is intact, otitis externa is the likely cause (Fig. 9.5A). The canal can reveal exostoses, abnormal bone growth due to cold water exposure, often seen in surfers (see Fig. 9.5B).
Scarring on the tympanic membrane (tympanosclerosis) can be caused by previous grommet insertion or infections.
Examination sequence (Video 19A)
Stand behind the patient.
Start testing with your mouth about 15 cm from the ear you
are assessing.
Mask hearing in the patient’s other ear by rubbing the tragus
(‘masking’).
Ask the patient to repeat a combination of numbers and
letters (e.g. 3-B-7). Start with a normal speaking voice to conrm that the patient understands the test. Then, lower your voice to a clear whisper.
Repeat the test but this time at arm’s length from the pa-
tients ear. People with normal hearing can repeat the sequence correctly when whispered at 60 cm.
If the patient responds incorrectly, the test is repeated using a
different number/letter combination.
If 50% or more of the items in the two triplets are incorrect,
the test is abnormal.
ABC
Fig. 9.4 The pinna. A Microtia. B Haematoma. C Squamous cancer (arrow).
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ABC
Fig. 9.5 Auditory canal abnormalities. A Otitis externa. B Exostosis of the external auditory meatus. C Cholesteatoma.
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ABC
Fig. 9.6 Tympanic membrane abnormalities. A Tympanic membrane perforation (arrow). B Retraction pocket of the pars tensa (arrow). C Grommet
in situ.
A
Fig. 9.7 Otitis media. A With effusion. B Fluid level behind the tympanic membrane (arrow). C Acute otitis media.
B
C
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Fig. 9.8 Webers test.
Tuning fork tests
A 512-Hz tuning fork can be used to help differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Webers test
Examination sequence (Video 19B)
Strike the prongs of the tuning fork against a padded surface
to make it vibrate.
Place the base of the vibrating tuning fork in the middle of the
patients forehead (Fig. 9.8).
Ask the patient, ‘Where do you hear the sound?’
Record which side Weber’s test lateralises to if not central.
In a patient with normal hearing, the sound would be expected to be heard in the middle, or equally in both ears; however, up to 40% of people with normal hearing will lateralise on Webers test.
Therefore, Webers test should only be interpreted in patients with hearing loss.
In conductive hearing loss, the sound is heard louder in the affected ear. In unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, it is heard louder in the unaffected ear. If there is symmetrical hearing loss, it will be heard in the middle.
Rinnes test
Examination sequence (Video 19C)
Strike the prongs of the tuning fork against a padded surface
to make it vibrate.
Place the vibrating tuning fork on the mastoid process
(Fig. 9.9A) and ask, Can you hear this?Then ask the patient to tell me when you hear it stop.
Now place the tuning fork at the external auditory meatus and
ask, Can you still hear it(see Fig. 9.9B). In a patient with normal hearing, they will still hear it.
To maximise the sound for the patient, the "U" of the tuning fork should face forward.
Alternative technique: loudness comparison
Strike the prongs of the tuning fork against a padded surface
to make it vibrate.
Place the vibrating tuning fork on the mastoid process for
about 2 seconds.
Now place the still-vibrating tuning fork at the external audi-
tory meatus and ask, Is it louder in front of your ear or behind?
With normal hearing, sound is heard louder or longer when the tuning fork is at the external auditory meatus. That is, air con­duction (AC) is better than bone conduction (BC), recorded as AC>BC. This normal result is recorded as Rinne-positive.
In conductive hearing loss, bone conduction is better than air conduction (BC>AC); thus, sound is heard louder when the tuning fork is on the mastoid process (Rinne-negative). This nding is associated with a high likelihood that the patient has a
AB
Fig. 9.9 Rinnes test. A Testing bone conduction. B Testing air conduction.
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conductive hearing loss of at least 20 dB. A false-negative Rinnes test may occur if there is profound hearing loss on one side. This is due to sound being conducted through the bone of the skull to the other goodear. Webers test can detect a hearing loss of just 5 dB; therefore, the tuning fork will lateralise to the affected ear in conductive hearing loss before Rinnes test becomes abnormal (negative). In sensorineural hearing loss, Rinnes test will be positive, as air conduction is better than bone conduction.
Tuning fork test ndings are summarised in Box 9.5.
Testing vestibular function
Testing for nystagmus
Examination sequence
Patients should be tested with spectacles or contact lenses
for best corrected vision.
9.5 Tuning fork tests
Webers test Rinnes test
Bilateral normal hearing Central AC>BC, bilateral
Bilateral symmetrical sensorineural loss
Unilateral or asymmetrical sensorineural loss LEFT
Unilateral conductive loss LEFT Louder left BC>AC, left
Bilateral conductive loss (worse on LEFT)
a
Patients with a severe sensorineural loss may have BC > AC due to
BC crossing to the o ther better-hearing cochlea that is not being tested (false-negative Rinnes test). AC, Air conduction; BC, bone conduction.
Central AC>BC, bilateral
Louder right AC>BC, bilateral
AC>BC, right
Louder left BC>AC, bilateral
a
With the patient seated, ask them to xate on a stationary
target in a neutral gaze position and observe for spontaneous nystagmus.
Hold your nger an arm’s length away, level with the patient’s
eye, and ask the patient to focus on and follow the tip of your nger. Slowly move your nger from side to side and up and down and observe the eyes for any oscillations, avoiding extremes of gaze where physiological nystagmus may occur. This assesses for gaze nystagmus and smooth pursuit.
If any oscillations are present, note:
whether they are horizontal, vertical or rotatory
which direction of gaze causes the most marked nystagmus
in which direction the fast phase of jerk nystagmus occurs
Discriminating characteristics of nystagmus are detailed in
Box 9.4.
Dix–Hallpike positional test
Examination sequence (Video 19D)
Ask the patient to sit upright, close to the end of the couch.
Turn the patient’s head 45 degrees to one side (Fig. 9.10A).
Rapidly lower the patient backward so that their head is now
30 degrees below the horizontal. Keep supporting the head and ask the patient to keep their eyes open, even if they feel dizzy (see Fig. 9.10B).
Observe the eyes for nystagmus. If it is present, note latency
(time to onset), direction, duration and fatigue (decrease on repeated manoeuvres).
Repeat the test, turning the patient’s head to the other side
(see Fig. 9.10C).
Normal patients have no nystagmus or symptoms of vertigo. A positive Dix–Hallpike manoeuvre is diagnostic for benign parox­ysmal positional vertigo. There is a delay of 5–20 seconds before the patient experiences vertigo and before rotatory jerk nystagmus toward the lower ear (geotropic) occurs; this lasts for
9
A
Fig. 9.10 Dix–Hallpike position test. The examiner looks for nystagmus (usually accompanied by vertigo). Both nystagmus and vertigo typically decrease
(fatigue) on repeat testing. See text for details.
120
degrees
BC
120
degrees
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9.6 Investigations in ear disease
Investigation Indication/comment
Swab from external auditory meatus
Magnetic resonance imaging Acoustic neuroma (see Fig. 9.11)
Audiometry
Impedance audiometry (tympanometry)
Vestibular testing
Caloric tests
Posturography
Otorrhoea, such as in otitis externa or otitis media with a tympanic membrane perforation; microscopy and culture can help guide treatment
Asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss or unilateral tinnitus
Hearing loss A single-frequency tone at different noise levels is presented to each ear in turn through headphones in a soundproof booth. The intensity of sound is reduced in 10-decibel steps until patients can no longer hear it. The hearing threshold is the quietest sound they can hear. Audiograms display air and bone conduction thresholds, and conductive and sensorineural hearing loss can therefore be differentiated (see Fig. 9.12)
Conductive hearing loss (e.g., otitis media with effusion, ossicular discontinuity, otosclerosis) Eustachian tube dysfunction The compliance of the tympanic membrane is measured during changes in pressure in the ear canal; compliance should be maximal at atmospheric pressure
Unilateral vestibular hypofunction Water at 30 response is reduced in vestibular hypofunction Reveals whether patients rely on vision or proprioception more than usual Usually reserved for specialist balance clinics
C and then 44C is irrigated into the external ear canal. Electronystagmography records nystagmus. The
Rapidly turn the patient’s head to one side in the horizontal
plane (roughly 15 degrees) and watch for any corrective movement of the eyes. Repeat, turning the head towards the other side. The eyes remain xed on the examiners nose in a normal test. When the head is turned towards the affected side, the eyes move with the head, and there is then a corrective saccade.
Fig. 9.11 Magnetic resonance image showing a right acoustic neu-
roma (arrow).
less than 30 seconds. The response fatigues on repeated testing due to adaptation. Immediate nystagmus without adaptation, and not necessarily with associated vertigo, can be caused by central pathology.
Head impulse test (or head thrust test)
Examination sequence
Sit opposite the patient and ask them to focus on a target
(usually your nose).
Hold the patient’s head, placing a hand on each side
of it.
This is a test of the vestibulo-ocular reex. The presence of a corrective saccade is a positive test and indicates a deciency in the vestibulo-ocular reex. It is useful to identify unilateral pe­ripheral vestibular hypofunction. You must be careful when performing this test in patients with neck problems because of the rapid movements of the head.
Unterbergers test
Examination sequence
Ask the patient to march on the spot with their eyes closed
and their arms outstretched in front of them. The patient will rotate to the side of the damaged labyrinth.
Fistula test
Examination sequence
Compress the tragus repeatedly against the external auditory
meatus to occlude it.
Anatomy and physiology • 203
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A
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
-10 00
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100
Hearing level in decibels (dB)
110 120 130 140
B
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
-10 00
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100
Hearing level in decibels (dB)
110 120 130 140
Frequency in hertz (Hz)
Frequency in hertz (Hz)
-10
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140
-10
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
-10 00
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100
Hearing level in decibels (dB)
110 120 130 140
C
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
-10 00
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100
Hearing level in decibels (dB)
110 120 130 140
Frequency in hertz (Hz)
-10
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140
Frequency in hertz (Hz)
-10
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140
Fig. 9.12 Hearing test (audiogram). A Normal-hearing right and left ears. B Right sensorineural loss. C Right conductive hearing loss. ( Right air
conduction,
Left air conduction, Bone conduction)
9
If imbalance or vertigo with nystagmus is induced, it suggests an abnormal communication between the middle ear and vestibular system (such as erosion due to cholesteatoma).
NOSE AND SINUSES
Anatomy and physiology
The external nose consists of two nasal bones that provide support and stability to the nose. The nasal bones articulate with each other and the bones of the face: the frontal bone, the
Investigations
Initial investigations in ear disease are summarised in Box 9.6 and Figs 9.11 and 9.12.
ethmoid bone and the maxilla. The nasal bones also attach to the nasal septum and paired upper lateral cartilages of the nose. There are two further paired cartilages, the lower lateral carti­lages, which form the nasal tip. Internally the nasal septum, which is bone posteriorly and cartilage anteriorly, separates the