International Licensing Examination (ILE) Practice Test

What does 'otorrhea' refer to?

1. Fluid in the middle ear

2. Infected discharge from the outer ear

3. Narrowing of the ear canal

4. Bony growth in the ear canal

The correct answer is: Infected discharge from the outer ear

Otorrhea refers specifically to the presence of infected discharge coming from the outer ear. This condition can often be indicative of an ear infection or other pathological process affecting the ear, leading to the production of pus or fluid that escapes from the ear canal. In the context of medical terminology, "oto-" refers to the ear, and "-rrhea" refers to a flow or discharge. Therefore, when combined, "otorrhea" conveys the idea of a pathological discharge related to the ear. The other options represent different ear-related conditions but do not match the specific term otorrhea. Fluid in the middle ear denotes a condition like otitis media, while a narrowing of the ear canal would pertain to stenosis. A bony growth in the ear canal is commonly defined as exostosis or osteoma, which also does not align with the meaning of otorrhea. Hence, the clarity in the definition of otorrhea in the question makes it evident that the correct answer is indeed linked to infected discharge from the outer ear.