The Eustachian tube and otitis media

Causes of otitis media
The human ear
Symptoms of otitis media
Diagnosing otitis media
Treatment options for otitis media

The Eustachian tube, or auditory tube, is a narrow canal between the back of the throat and the inside of each ear. Its purpose is two-fold:

  1. It keeps the air pressure inside the middle ear the same as the air pressure outside the ear. This allows the eardrum to vibrate freely, which helps your hearing to be most effective.
  2. It allows secretions that build up in the middle ear to drain into the throat, where they are swallowed.
Most of the time, the Eustachian tube remains collapsed or closed, in order to prevent bacteria that live in the nose and mouth from reaching the middle ear. Yet when you swallow, a small muscle opens the Eustachian tube briefly to equalize the pressure and drain middle ear secretions. This also helps flush out any bacteria that are able to make it into the ear.

In young children, the Eustachian tube is smaller, narrower, straighter, and more horizontal, which allows bacteria easier access from the throat to the ear. Respiratory irritants, pollutants, viral infections like the common cold and reflux can inflame the lining of the tube, causing it to swell and produce additional secretions.

Adenoids may also harbor bacteria that can migrate into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. In addition, enlarged adenoids can block the Eustachian tube from draining, allowing fluid to build and bacteria to become trapped and multiply. All of these factors contribute to the frequency and severity of otitis media in young children.

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Why are they removed?

Tonsils only
Adenoids only
Tonsils and adenoids together Important Safety Information

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Version 2.1.0 This webpage was first published on September 07, 2005, and was last updated on August 29, 2007.
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