C1 noun Formal

monothermal

/ˌmɒnəʊˈθɜːrməl/

A clinical procedure or state characterized by a single temperature, most commonly used in audiology to refer to a caloric test performed with either warm or cold irrigation alone. It is used as a screening tool to assess the balance system of the inner ear more quickly than standard two-temperature tests.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The patient underwent a monothermal to see if more extensive testing was required.

The patient had a single-temperature test to determine if further examination was necessary.

2

Current clinical guidelines suggest that a monothermal caloric test can effectively screen for vestibular weakness.

Modern medical rules indicate that a single-temperature heat test can identify balance issues in the ear.

3

I'll just run a monothermal first; it's faster and usually gives us the answer we need.

I will perform a one-temperature test initially because it is quicker and often provides the necessary results.

Word Family

Noun
monothermal
Adverb
monothermally
Adjective
monothermal
Related
monothermality
💡

Memory Tip

Remember 'mono-' means 'one' (like a monolog) and 'thermal' means 'heat.' It's a 'one-heat' test.

Quick Quiz

To save time during the initial patient intake, the audiologist decided to perform a ______ rather than a full bithermal caloric test.

Correct!

The correct answer is: monothermal

Examples

1

The patient underwent a monothermal to see if more extensive testing was required.

everyday

The patient had a single-temperature test to determine if further examination was necessary.

2

Current clinical guidelines suggest that a monothermal caloric test can effectively screen for vestibular weakness.

formal

Modern medical rules indicate that a single-temperature heat test can identify balance issues in the ear.

3

I'll just run a monothermal first; it's faster and usually gives us the answer we need.

informal

I will perform a one-temperature test initially because it is quicker and often provides the necessary results.

4

The sensitivity of the monothermal as a diagnostic tool remains a subject of debate among vestibular specialists.

academic

Experts in balance disorders still argue about how accurate a single-temperature test is for making a diagnosis.

5

Our clinic has updated its protocol to include the monothermal as a standard preliminary screening step.

business

The medical facility now uses the single-temperature test as a basic first step in their evaluation process.

Word Family

Noun
monothermal
Adverb
monothermally
Adjective
monothermal
Related
monothermality

Common Collocations

monothermal caloric test a test of the inner ear using one temperature
warm monothermal a single-temperature test using heat
monothermal stimulation activating a system using one specific temperature
monothermal irrigation the act of flushing the ear with water at one temperature
monothermal screening a quick check using one temperature level

Common Phrases

monothermal caloric screening

a rapid ear balance test using one temperature

cold monothermal irrigation

flushing the ear with cold water for diagnostic purposes

monothermal protocol

the specific steps for conducting a one-temperature test

Often Confused With

monothermal vs isothermal

Isothermal refers to a process where temperature remains constant over time, whereas monothermal refers to the use of a single temperature level for a specific test.

monothermal vs bithermal

Bithermal involves two different temperatures (usually warm and cold), while monothermal uses only one.

📝

Usage Notes

The word is almost exclusively used in medical and scientific contexts, particularly in audiology. While it often functions as an adjective, it is frequently used as a noun in clinical shorthand to refer to the test itself.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse it with 'isothermal' when describing weather or physical environments; keep 'monothermal' for specific diagnostic procedures or specialized thermal systems.

💡

Memory Tip

Remember 'mono-' means 'one' (like a monolog) and 'thermal' means 'heat.' It's a 'one-heat' test.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Greek 'monos' (single) and 'therme' (heat).

Grammar Patterns

Used as a countable noun when referring to a specific test (e.g., 'three monothermals'). Often functions as an attributive noun modifying terms like 'test' or 'screening'.

Quick Quiz

To save time during the initial patient intake, the audiologist decided to perform a ______ rather than a full bithermal caloric test.

Correct!

The correct answer is: monothermal

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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