This document defines common medical abbreviations used in eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) examinations and treatments. It provides the full terms for abbreviations such as EENT, EM, EOM, OD, OS, OU, VA, AD, AS, AU, BC, OE, and PE tube. For each abbreviation, it gives the full term and a brief definition or description of its meaning in the context of eye and ear examinations, conditions, or procedures.

1. Chapter 13
Special Senses: The Eye and Ear
By Sarah Rahn

2. EENT
Is the abbreviation
for:
Eye, Ear, Nose, and
Throat

3. EM
Is the abbreviation for:
Emmetropia
Emmetropia is the state of
normal vision

4. EOM
Is the abbreviation for:Extraocular Movement
They are the six muscles connecting the actual eyeball to
the skull. These muscles allow for rotation of the eyeball

5. OD & OS
OD=Right Eye
OS=Left Eye
OU=Each Eye/Both Eyes

6. VA
Is the abbreviation for:
Visual Acuity
Which is the measurement of
the sharpness of a patients
vision.

7. AD & AS
AD=Right Ear
AS=Left
AU=Both Ears

8. BC
Is the abbreviation for:
Bone Conduction
Which is the conduction of
sound to the inner ear
through the bones of the
skull

9. OE
Is the abbreviation for:
OtitisExterna
Which is an external ear
infection. Most commonly
caused by fungus.
Commonly referred to as
swimmers ear.

10. PE tube
Is the abbreviation for:
Pressure Tube Equalizing
Which is a small tube
surgically placed in a
child’s eardrum to assist in
drainage of trapped fluid
and to equalize pressure
between the middle cavity
and the atmosphere