Question

Using knowledge of medical words and suffixes, a medical assistant should identify which of the following terms as a procedure that involves an incision into the eardrum?

1) Rhinoplasty
2) Otoplasty
3) Tympanoplasty
4) D. Rhinotomy

Answer 1

The term for the procedure that involves an incision into the eardrum is tympanoplasty. It combines 'tympano' related to the eardrum and the suffix 'plasty' for surgical molding. Other listed terms refer to procedures on the nose or ear but not specifically the eardrum.

Step-by-step explanation:

A medical assistant should identify tympanoplasty as the procedure that involves an incision into the eardrum. The term 'tympano' directly relates to the tympanic membrane, more commonly known as the eardrum. The suffix 'plasty' refers to the molding, grafting, or forming of a part of the body in surgical procedures.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to correct or reconstruct the nose ('rhino' pertains to the nose), while otoplasty is a procedure involving the ear, but not specifically the eardrum. The term rhinotomy indicates an incision into the nose, not the ear.

Therefore, within the given options, tympanoplasty correctly describes the surgical intervention involving the eardrum or tympanic membrane.