Middle ear anatomy

Ear infection In an ear infection, narrow tubes that run from the middle ear to high in the back of the throat (eustachian tubes) can become swollen and blocked. This can lead to mucus build-up in the middle ear. This mucus can become infected and cause ear infection symptoms. An ear infection (sometimes called acute otitis media) is an infection of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections. Because ear infections often clear up on their own, treatment may begin with managing pain and monitoring the problem. Sometimes, antibiotics are used to clear the infection. Some people are prone to having multiple ear infections. This can cause hearing problems and other serious complications. Symptoms The onset of signs and symptoms of ear infection is usually rapid. Children Signs and symptoms common in children include: • Ear pain, especially when lying down • Tugging or pulling at an ear • Trouble sleeping • Crying more than usual • Fussiness • Trouble hearing or responding to sounds • Loss of balance • Fever of 100 F (38 C) or higher • Drainage of fluid from the ear • Headache • Loss of appetite Adults Common signs and symptoms in adults include: • Ear pain • Drainage of fluid from the ear • Trouble hearing When to see a doctor Signs and symptoms of an ear infection can indicate several conditions. It's important to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt trea...

Ear Anatomy – Outer Ear The outer ear comes in all types of shapes and sizes. This structure helps to give each of us our unique appearance. The medical term for the outer ear is the auricle or pinna. The outer ear is made up of cartilage and skin. There are three different parts to the outer ear; the tragus, helix and the lobule. EAR CANAL The ear canal starts at the outer ear and ends at the ear drum. The canal is approximately an inch in length. The skin of the ear canal is very sensitive to pain and pressure. Under the skin the outer one third of the canal is cartilage and inner two thirds is bone. EAR DRUM The ear drum is about the size of a dime and is the same size in the new born baby as in the adult. The medical term for the ear drum is the tympanic membrane. The ear drum is a transparent gray membrane. Attached to the center part of the drum is the middle ear bone (the malleus). MIDDLE EAR The space inside the ear drum is called the middle ear. Three of the smallest bones of the body are found in the middle ear; they are called the malleus, the incus and the stapes. These bones are also known as the hammer, anvil and the stirrup. The medical term for all three bones together is the middle ear ossicles.

Synonyms: Eardrum, Rivinus' membrane The tympanic membrane (eardrum) is an oval, semi-transparent structure situated between the The tympanic membrane is divided into two main parts: • Pars tensa - forms most of the tympanic membrane. It is thickened at its outer margin to form a fibrocartilaginous ring called the tympanic ring. • Pars flaccida (Shrapnell's membrane) - is a small triangular portion of the membrane situated superior to the lateral process of the malleus. More specifically, it is located between the anterior and posterior malleolar folds. The tympanic membrane also has two surfaces: the lateral (external) and the medial (internal) surface. The lateral surface of the tympanic membrane is concave towards the external auditory meatus and is directed anteriorly and inferolaterally. The medial surface of the tympanic membrane is convex towards the tympanic cavity. The point of maximum convexity of the membrane is known as the umbo which is created by the attachment of the malleus to the center of the membrane. When the tympanic membrane is illuminated under the light (otoscope), the concavity of the membrane produces a cone of light radiating from the umbo over the inferior quadrant of the membrane. The tympanic membrane receives a dual blood supply; the outer part receives blood via the deep The membrane is innervated by three The tympanic membrane serves as the physical barrier between the middle and outer ear and thus it has a role in the protection of the mid...

• Auricle: The outwardly visible part of the ear is composed of skin and cartilage, and attaches to the skull. It has an outer (lateral) and an inner (medial) aspect. The inner aspect serves as an attachment, and the outer is instrumental in hearing and has characteristic ridges and grooves. Notable among these is the outer rim or helix, which runs from the skull and bends around to terminate at the ear lobe. Parallel to this is another curved structure called the antihelix, which has a triangular upper fossa (space) bound by the borders of the helix and antihelix. The auricle also has, at its center, a space next to the opening of the external acoustic meatus (ear canal) called a concha, which is partially covered by a triangular flap of cartilage known as the tragus. • External acoustic meatus: This is the bone and cartilage lined canal that leads from the outside to the inside of the ear. Its outer portion is surrounded by cartilage, and the inner part is surrounded by bones of the skull. This portion curves, slightly up and to the back, before bending forward and down. The inner portion—representing about two-thirds of its course—is surrounded by temporal bone and terminates at the tympanic membrane. • Tympanic membrane (eardrum): This portion represents the border between the external and middle ear. It is composed of a membrane attached by fibrous cartilage to the surrounding bone. It has a more flaccid part (pars flaccida), and a more taut part (pars tensa). The inn...

The eustachian tubes commonly get blocked by nasal secretions from upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, or sinusitis; very rarely, the eustachian can be blocked by a tumor or polyp. The secretions can have bacteria or viruses in them, which can cause a middle ear infection ( otitis media). Patulous Eustachian Tube In most people, the eustachian tubes open without a problem whenever the air pressure changes, such as when flying in an airplane or diving underwater. However, in some people, the tubes have a harder time equalizing the pressure. As a result, people may have temporary ear pain when they are in these situations. • Szymanski A, Agarwal A. • Llewellyn A, Norman G, Harden M, et al. • Smith ME, Takwoingi Y, Deeks J, et al. • Casale J. Physiology Eustachian Tube Function. National Center for Biotechnology Information. • Merck Manual Consumer Version. • Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. • Florida Naturopathic Medicine Association. • Feldmann H. Die Trommelfellmassage, Aufstieg und Niedergang eines vielversprechenden therapeutischen Konzeptes Laryngorhinootologie. 1996;75(8):491-498. doi:10.1055/s-2007-997621 • Hussein AA, Adams AS, Turner JH. Laryngoscope. 2015;125(9):2193-2198. doi:10.1002/lary.25168 doi:10.1002/lary.25168

Dr. Jackler and Ms. Gralapp retain copyright for all of their original illustrations which appear in this online atlas. We encourage use of our illustrations for educational purposes, but copyright permission should be sought before publication or commercial use. To request permission for publication or commercial use please contact Christine Gralapp ( s://www.chrisgralapp.com). • • Surgical Anatomy of the Ear • Overview of Temporal Bone • External Ear • Middle Ear & Mastoid • Eustachian Tube • Auditory System • Vestibular System • Internal Auditory Canal and Cerebellopontine Angle • Ear Tumor Anatomy • Fundamentals of Ear Surgery • Patient Positioning • Microinstrument Hand Positioning • Ergonomics • Postauricular Incision • Postauricular Canal Flap Design • Endaural Incision • Incision Closure • External Ear • Otoplasty • Microtia Repair: The Firmin 2 Stage Technique • Repair of Congenital Aural Atresia • Postauricular Meatoplasty • Endaural Meatoplasty • Exostoses of the Ear Canal • Anterior Canalplasty • Preauricular Cyst Excision • Stapes Surgery • Overview • Exposure • Stapedotomy • Stapedectomy • Challenges • Deficient Incus • Revision Stapes Surgery • Tympanosclerosis • Tympanoplasty • Tympanic Membrane Perforations • Fascia Harvesting • Tragal Cartilage Harvesting • Medial Graft Tympanoplasty • Anterior Perforation Repair • Lateral Graft Tympanoplasty • Butterfly Tympanoplasty • Eustachian Tuboplasty • Ossiculoplasty • Patterns of Ossicular Deficiency • Autologous...

The ear canal is a small, tube-like pathway that extends from the outer ear to the eardrum. In addition to helping a person hear, the ear canal has many other functions, such as protecting the delicate inner ear from bacteria and dirt, and warming air before it enters the inner ear. A range of health problems can affect this sensitive area, including Read on to learn more about the ear canal, its The ear canal, or auditory canal, is a tube that runs from the outer ear to the eardrum. The ear has outer, middle, and inner portions. The ear canal and outer cartilage of the ear make up the outer ear. The ear canal transports sound from the outer ear to the eardrum, which is in the middle ear. The ear canal is fairly exposed to the environment. That is why it protects itself with many specialized glands, which produce The sticky earwax prevents insects, dust, and debris from entering the sensitive middle ear through the ear canal. It also repels water, protecting the ear canal and eardrum from damage. The ear cleans itself by moving the wax gradually out of the ear canal, carrying any debris with it. The wax then dries and falls out of the ear, typically in small flakes. Many people experience Various conditions can contribute to itchy ears, including: Allergies In some cases, Food allergies occur when the body’s If an allergen is causing itching inside the ears, identifying and avoiding it can reduce symptoms. A person can also take over-the-counter (OTC) Skin conditions Some ...

The middle ear includes three small bones. They are the hammer, called the malleus; the anvil, known as the incus; and the stirrup, known as the stapes. The eardrum lies between the middle ear and outer ear. The middle ear connects to the back of the nose and throat by a narrow area called the eustachian tube. The snail-shaped cochlea is part of the inner ear.