What is the auditory tube?

What is the auditory tube?

The Eustachian tube is a small passageway that connects your throat to your middle ear. When you sneeze, swallow, or yawn, your Eustachian tubes open. This keeps air pressure and fluid from building up inside your ear. But sometimes a Eustachian tube might get plugged.

What is the function of auditory Eustachian tube?

This air-containing space is maintained by the Eustachian tube, which opens intermittently to equalize the intratympanic air pressure with the pressure in the external auditory canal. It also removes secretion and epithelial debris from the middle ear by ciliary motion and gravity.

What is the function of the opening of the auditory tube?

Opening and closing functions of the eustachian tube are physiologically and pathologically important. Normal opening of the eustachian tube equalizes atmospheric pressure in the middle ear; closing of the eustachian tube protects the middle ear from unwanted pressure fluctuations and loud sounds.

How does the auditory tube work?

The tubes help the ears drain fluid. They also keep air pressure in the ears at the right level. When you swallow or yawn, the tubes open briefly to let air in to make the pressure in the middle ears equal to the pressure outside of the ears. Sometimes fluid or negative pressure gets stuck in the middle ear.

What is auditory tube called?

The Eustachian tube, also known as the auditory tube or pharyngotympanic tube, is a tube that links the nasopharynx to the middle ear.

What does the auditory tube connect to?

The auditory tube, referred to as the Eustachian or pharyngotympanic tube, is located there, lying toward the front of the overall structure of the auditory system. It connects the middle ear to the pharynx via the nasopharynx, or nasal passageways.

What does the auditory tube do in your ear?

Auditory tube: The tube that runs from the middle ear to the pharynx, also known as the Eustachian tube . The function of this tube is to protect, aerate and drain the middle ear (and mastoid). Occlusion of the Eustachian tube leads to the development of middle ear inflammation ( otitis media ).

What structures does the auditory tube connect?

Each narrow tube connects the nasopharynx with the middle ear (highlighted in green) structures found inside the air-filled tympanic cavity of the temporal bone. You can open your auditory tubes by moving your mouth and neck muscles, such as yawning. When this occurs, air can flow between the middle ear and the nasopharynx.

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