Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

ear, swimmer’s
See 
ear infection, external.
ear piercing
The practice of using a needle or
needle gun to make holes through the ear lobe or
other parts of the ear so that jewelry can be worn.
Ear piercing can result in inflammation and/or
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infection. Infected ear piercings should be washed
and then treated with antibiotic cream. Further
treatment involves either allowing the piercing to
close or using only nonirritating jewelry (usually
gold or hypoallergenic plastic). The likelihood of
inflammation and infection is greater for piercings
that go through hard cartilage, as found on the side
and top of the outer ear, than for the soft bottom
lobe of the ear.
ear pit
A tiny pit in front of the ear, also called 
a preauricular pit. This minor anomaly is of no 
consequence in and of itself. It is more common in
blacks than in whites, and in females than males. It
can recur in families. However, the presence of two
or more minor anomalies such as this one in a child
increases the probability that the child also has a
major malformation, such as a congenital heart
defect.
ear puncture
Puncture of the eardrum. Ear
puncture may be due to an accident, as when some-
thing is stuck into the ear, or due to fluid pressure
in the middle ear. The eardrum is occasionally
punctured intentially via surgery. A tiny incision
(myringotomy) is made in the eardrum to allow
fluid trapped behind the eardrum, usually thickened
secretions, to be removed. An ear tube may be
inserted after the fluid drains. See also 
ear tube
.