Where is the middle ear?
by Admin
Posted on 25-07-2022 09:25 AM
Sometimes middle
ear
infections (otitis media) can produce persisting discharge which can become stuck in the ear canal and then cause otitis externa.
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Inflammation or infection of the middle ear occurs when the eustachian tube to that ear is blocked. The eustachian tube is the passage from the back of the nose to the space behind the ear drum. Chronic otitis media occurs when the eustachian tube becomes blocked repeatedly (or remains blocked for long periods) due to allergies, multiple infections, ear trauma or swelling of the adenoids. Bacteria from the back of the nose (nasopharynx) will go through the eustachian tube and cause an infection in the space behind the ear drum (middle ear). When the middle ear is acutely infected with bacteria (or occasionally, viruses) it is called acute otitis media.
Air usually passes up from behind the nose, through a tube (called the eustachian tube) to the middle ear (a small space behind the eardrum), which is kept well-ventilated, clean and dry. If not enough fresh air can pass through (for example, if the eustachian tube is blocked or clogged), the inner ear can become prone to bacterial and viral infections known as ear infections. Ear infections can also affect the outer ear, where the skin leading from the outside of the ear to the eardrum becomes inflamed, swollen or discharges pus. Ear infections can affect both children and adults and are very common.
Earaches and ear infections can have a variety of causes—viral, bacterial and fungal—and can affect different parts of the ear. Common infections include inner ear, middle ear and outer ear infections (or what is commonly known as “swimmer’s ear). Ear infections also can be caused by scratching the ear canal when cleaning their ear, especially if a cotton-tipped applicator or dangerously sharp small object, such as a hair clip, is used. In other cases, a middle ear infection can cause an external infection to develop through the draining of pus into the ear canal through a hole in the eardrum.
Who is most likely to get an ear infection (otitis media)?
Medically reviewed
ear infections are incredibly common, affecting five out of every six american children by the time they turn 3. ( 1 )
most of the time, ear infections occur within the middle ear, which is the space behind the eardrum where the ear’s vibrating bones are located. ( 2 ) these ear infections are medically referred to as otitis media and can be caused by bacteria or viruses. ( 3 )
when someone complains about dealing with an ear infection, this is usually the type they’re talking about, says sujana s. Chandrasekhar, md , a partner at ent and allergy associates in new york city.
Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. It causes inflammation (redness and swelling) and a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum. Anyone can develop a middle ear infection but infants between six and 15 months old are most commonly affected.