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
