What Is The Function Of The Auditory Tube – The Eustachian tube (auditory or pharynotympanic tube) is a canal that connects the tympanic cavity (of the middle ear) to the nasopharynx. It is derived from the first pharyngeal pouch of the fetus.

In this article, we will look at the anatomy of the Eustachian tube – its parts, muscles, innervation and clinical relevance.

What Is The Function Of The Auditory Tube

The Eustachian tube originates from the posterior wall of the middle ear and slopes downward, anteriorly, and medially to reach the nasopharynx.

Inner Ear (human Anatomy): Image, Functions, Diseases And Treatments

It is located just above the floor of the middle ear. The terminal part of this opening is Huguere’s canal – where the chorda tympani nerve leaves the middle ear.

The internal carotid artery is closely attached to the medial wall of the Eustachian tube at the tympanic orifice, where the overlying bone may be thin or even dry in about 2% of cases.

Figure 2 – Osseous and cartilaginous parts of the Eustachian tube. Note the proximity of the auditory orifice to the internal carotid artery,

The osseous portion represents the third part of the Eustachian tube near the middle ear. It may be surrounded by transitional air cells.

Auditory Ossicles: What Are They, Location, Function, And More

Along the roof of the osseous portion of the Eustachian tube is a canal containing the tensor tympani muscle.

The distal end of the osseous part is formed by the petrous part of the temporal bone. It has a serrated margin for attachment to the cartilaginous component of the tube.

The cartilaginous portion represents the two-thirds of the Eustachian tube proximal to the nasopharynx. It is located in a groove between the petrous part of the temporal bone and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone (petrosphenoidal fissure).

The cartilaginous part is incomplete along the lower and lateral margins of the tube, and is completed by fibrous tissue – the membranous lamina.

Cartilage Of Auditory Tube

The pharyngeal orifice marks the opening of the Eustachian tube into the nasopharynx. It is located behind the inferior concha of the nasal cavity.

The Eustachian tube is able to open passively when there is a positive pressure difference between the nasopharynx and the middle ear (to let air in or out).

An obstructive dysfunction of the tube can be either anatomic or functional. Many conditions can physically block the tube. Some are located within the lumen, such as inflammation from allergies, inflammation, and gastroesophageal reflux. Others are located outside the lumen, such as hypertrophic adenoids and neoplasia of the nasopharynx.

On the other hand, any pathology affecting either the tensor velli palatini muscle or its innervation and the geometry of the muscle’s attachment to the cartilaginous portion of the tube may result in a functional obstructive dysfunction.

The Anatomy Of The Ear [infographic]

The main arterial supply to the Eustachian tube is from branches of the maxillary artery – the descending palatine and middle meningeal arteries.

There are also contributions from the ascending facial artery, ascending palatine branch of the facial artery, and caroticotympanic branches of the internal carotid artery.

In this article, we will look at the anatomy of the Eustachian tube – its parts, muscles, innervation and clinical relevance.

It is located just above the floor of the middle ear. The terminal part of this opening is Huguere’s canal – where the chorda tympani nerve leaves the middle ear.

External Auditory Canal

Figure 2 – Osseous and cartilaginous parts of the Eustachian tube. Note the proximity of the internal carotid artery to the auditory orifice,

The cartilaginous part is incomplete along the lower and lateral margins of the tube, and is completed by fibrous tissue – the membranous lamina.

Figure 3 – Opening of the Eustachian tube into the nasopharynx, posterior to the inferior concha.

The main arterial supply to the Eustachian tube is from branches of the maxillary artery – the descending palatine and middle meningeal arteries.

What Is The Function Of The Eustachian Tube?

This website uses cookies. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you relevant advertising. To learn more, read our privacy policy. accept

This website uses cookies to improve your experience as you navigate through the website. Among these, cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored in your browser because they are necessary for the basic functionality of the website to work. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.

Essential cookies are absolutely necessary for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensure basic functionality and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be specifically necessary for the website to function and are specifically used to collect user personal data through analytics, advertisements, other embedded content, are called non-essential cookies. goes User consent must be obtained before running these cookies on your website. The nasopharynx is the region at the back of the nasal passages that extends into the throat. The ears are connected to the nasopharynx through the pharynotympanic tubes. The scientific name for these tubes refers to where they are found in the body, between the larynx, or larynx, and the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. The pharyngotympanic tubes are commonly known as the Eustachian tubes, a name derived from Eustachius, a 16th-century Italian anatomist.

How We Hear

You may not be aware of pharynotympanic tubes until you experience a problem with them. Certain conditions can cause dysfunction of the tubes that can contribute to hearing loss.

The Eustachian tube is a passage that runs from the middle ear down into the throat at an angle. It has two main functions:

Without the Eustachian tube, the middle ear would be vulnerable to changes in air pressure caused by normal reflex actions, such as swallowing or yawning. It can fill with fluid, providing an environment for bacteria to grow, which can lead to infection.

The end of the Eustachian tube that connects to the nasopharynx is normally closed. This is to prevent nasal secretions from entering the Eustachian tube and contaminating it with fluid and pathogens. When you perform actions that change the air pressure inside your head, such as swallowing or yawning, the muscles in the back of the throat contract, opening the Eustachian tubes on each side of your head.

Causes And Treatment Of Auditory Tube Dysfunction

Sometimes the pharyngotympanic tubes fail to properly regulate air pressure or allow fluid to drain properly, leading to Eustachian tube dysfunction. Most people experience mild symptoms from time to time. This can be caused by changes in air pressure or altitude, especially if they occur suddenly. For example, some people report milder symptoms after riding in an elevator or getting off an airplane. This mild type of Eustachian tube dysfunction usually resolves on its own within minutes, although it may take several hours.

Sometimes something causes a blockage of the Eustachian tube, preventing it from opening properly. The portions are very tight, meaning it doesn’t take too long to stop them. When this happens, it can cause a buildup of fluid that causes Eustachian tube dysfunction. Inflammation of the tissues can cause them to swell, blocking the opening of the pharynotympanic tubes. Common causes of inflammation include:

Another issue that can affect the Eustachian tube is a “petalous” tube, or one that is always open. This is a rare condition, and the cause is not always known, but it allows secretions from the nasal cavities to drain into the middle ear, which can often lead to ear infections.

Most people experience mild Eustachian tube dysfunction at some point in their lives, but some people are at risk of recurring episodes that may be more severe or longer lasting. Here are some common risk factors:

Clinical Practice Guideline (update): Earwax (cerumen Impaction)

Infants’ pharynotympanic tubes are still developing. In infancy, the tubes are straight and short, making it easier for fluid to get trapped in the middle ear. As a result, children are more susceptible to Eustachian tube dysfunction and ear infections than adults.

Fatty tissue deposits that form around the pharynotympanic tubes can block them, leading to Eustachian tube dysfunction. People who are obese are more likely to form these deposits.

The middle ear is lined with tiny hairs called cilia that drain mucus from the Eustachian tube into the throat. Smoking can damage the cilia, preventing mucus from moving down the tube.

Certain activities that put you at risk for changes in air pressure can also cause recurrent Eustachian tube dysfunction. Examples include scuba diving, rock climbing, and snowboarding or skiing.

Diving And Ear Problems

Eustachian tube dysfunction can make your ears feel like they’re filled with water or plugged up. This can lead to sound attenuation, which is a type of mild hearing loss. Eustachian tube dysfunction can also lead to tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, which can also adversely affect your hearing.

In addition to hearing loss and tinnitus, Eustachian tube dysfunction can cause other symptoms, such as ear pain, a clicking or popping sensation, or difficulty with balance.

Dysfunction of the Eustachian tubes often does not require any treatment. J

What is the function of eustachian tube, function of the auditory nerve, what is the auditory tube, what is the function of the primary auditory cortex, function of auditory cortex, what is the function of auditory nerve, function of the auditory canal, function of the auditory ossicles, function of auditory tube, what is the function of the auditory ossicles, what is the function of test tube, what is the function of fallopian tube