What is ossicular chain dysfunction?

Ossicular chain dislocation is a separation of the middle ear bones. It results in a hearing loss due to sound not being transmitted properly (conductive hearing loss). Ossicular chain dislocation is also called ossicular chain discontinuity.

What causes ossicular discontinuity?

OSSICULAR CHAIN DISCONTINUITY IS CAUSED BY: A fracture in the temporal bone — the bones at the side or base of the skull. Chronic ear infections such as otitis media. Cholesteatoma — a benign tumor caused by the build-up of skin cells and protein from the ear canal behind the eardrum.

What is ossicular discontinuity?

INTRODUCTION. Ossicular discontinuity (OD) is a separation of the middle ear ossicles that can occur at one of the joints or within a bone (e.g. fracture).

What is ossicular erosion?

Chronic otomastoiditis with ossicular erosions, also known as non-cholesteatomatous ossicular erosions or post-inflammatory ossicular erosions, is defined by the erosive changes involving the middle ear ossicles in the absence of cholesteatoma in a patient with a history of chronic otomastoiditis.

What is ossicular?

The ossicles are tiny bones in the middle ear, that form a chain connecting the ear drum (Tympanic membrane, TM) and the inner ear.

Where is the ossicular chain located?

middle ear
The ossicles are situated in the middle ear and suspended by ligaments. They articulate with each other through synovial joints to form a chain across the length of the middle ear from the tympanic membrane (laterally) to the oval window (medially).

What will happen if the ossicles are fused?

Fusion of the ear bones is the joining of the bones of the middle ear. These are the incus, malleus, and stapes bones. Fusion or fixation of the bones leads to hearing loss, because the bones are not moving and vibrating in reaction to sound waves.

Where is the hammer located in the ear?

The middle ear contains three tiny bones: Hammer (malleus) — attached to the eardrum. Anvil (incus) — in the middle of the chain of bones. Stirrup (stapes) — attached to the membrane-covered opening that connects the middle ear with the inner ear (oval window)

What would happen if ossicles become fused?

Where are ossicles located?

The middle ear consists of the tympanic membrane and the bony ossicles called the malleus, incus, and stapes. These three ossicles connect the tympanic membrane to the inner ear allowing for the transmission of sound waves.

Why is the ossicular chain important?

From a functional point of view, the ossicular chain represents the most efficient system for transmitting sounds from the outer ear to the inner ear. The membrane of the eardrum (TM) vibrates and transmits its movement to the malleus, and this to the anvil and the incus to the stapes.