Glossary

Here are definitions of medical terms related to glue ear.

Allergy: An unusual response to a small amount of a foreign substance that normally does not cause a reaction in another person

Bacteria: Microscopic organisms; unlike viruses, they generally respond to antibiotics

Eustachian tubes: The tubes that connect the middle ear to the back of the throat; their function is to equalize the air pressure in the ear

General anesthesia: Putting a person to sleep for an operation

Glue ear: A painless condition in which thick, sticky fluid collects behind the eardrum, blocking the middle part of the ear and possibly causing impaired hearing

Myringotomy: A small incision made into the eardrum to allow fluid to drain from the ear

Tympanostomy tube: Plastic tube that is inserted into myringotomy

Virus: A microscopic organism; antibiotics have no effect on viruses