Otalgia

Definition

Pain in the ear; a medical term used by physicians and healthcare providers to describe ear pain of any cause, ranging from minor infection to more serious conditions. Also called otodynia.

Example Usage

The child's otalgia was caused by a middle ear infection that required antibiotic treatment.

Origin

From Greek ous/otos (ear) + algos (pain); a standard medical terminology combining form used across healthcare.

Fun Fact

Otalgia can be primary (originating in the ear itself) or referred (pain from other structures like the jaw or throat perceived as ear pain).

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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