Eustachian tube

(yo͞ostā`shən) [for Bartolomeo EustachiEustachi, Bartolomeo
, d. 1574, Italian anatomist. He lived in Rome from 1549 and taught at the Collegia della Sapienza (later the Univ. of Rome). He described many structures in the human body, including the Eustachian tube of the ear, the adrenal glands, the thoracic duct, the
..... Click the link for more information. ], a hollow structure of bone and cartilage extending from the middle earear,
organ of hearing and equilibrium. The human ear consists of outer, middle, and inner parts. The outer ear is the visible portion; it includes the skin-covered flap of cartilage known as the auricle, or pinna, and the opening (auditory canal) leading to the eardrum (tympanic
..... Click the link for more information. to the rear of the throat, or pharynx, technically known as the pharyngotympanic or auditory tube. By permitting air to leave or enter the middle ear, the tube equalizes air pressure on either side of the eardrum. The tube can become blocked, as by enlarged adenoids or the mucous secretions of a cold, so that external and internal pressure become imbalanced. Earache and diminution of hearing may result. The tube may also serve as a pathway to the ear for infections of the throat. A common ear disease known as otitis media, usually appearing in early childhood, is thought to be related to the Eustachian tube. The tube tends to be shorter and more horizontal among children, factors which facilitate the spread of infections from upper respiratory diseases to the middle ear, as well as the accumulation of fluids in the region.

Eustachian Tube

auditory tube, in terrestrial vertebrates, the canal that unites the pharynx with the cavity of the middle ear; named for B. Eustachio, who first described it in 1563.

The eustachian tube serves to equalize the air pressure in the middle ear with that of the surrounding environment. It originates from the rudiment of the gill slit. In crocodiles it forms a complex system of anastomosing canals. It is absent in snakes because of the reduction of the middle ear.

In man, the eustachian tube is a tubular formation that unites the nasopharynx with the tympanic cavity of the middle ear. Air enters the tympanic cavity through the eustachian tube from the nasopharynx. When the eustachian tube is inflamed, the entry of air into the tympanic cavity often ceases or is limited, producing a sensation of noise and congestion in the ear; hearing is somewhat decreased.

eustachian tube

[yü′stā·shən ‚tüb] (anatomy) A tube composed of bone and cartilage that connects the nasopharynx with the middle ear cavity.

eustachian tube

The Eustachian tube is normal in the case on the left. In the case on the right, it is blocked. The subject is likely to suffer from pain and injury in case he/she flies with sinus congestion resulting in the eustachian tube getting blocked.The tube connecting the middle ear to the breathing passage. A person suffers from an earache if this tube is blocked and the aircraft is descending. The tube opens automatically and equalizes the pressure across the middle ear while climbing. It also opens during descent when a person swallows, yawns, or carries out the Valsalva maneuver. The eardrum can be perforated or damaged if the eustachian tube is blocked (as in congestion) and the aircraft descends rapidly. This is caused by the very high differential pressure inside the ear and the atmosphere. See also Valsava maneuver.

Eustachian tube

a tube that connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx and equalizes the pressure between the two sides of the eardrum

Eustachian tube

eustachian tube

[u-sta´ke-an] the narrow channel that connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx; it serves to equalize pressure on either side of the tympanic membrane (eardrum). In children this tube is wider and shorter than in adults, and thus children are especially prone to otitis media" >otitis media, infection of the middle ear that originates in the pharynx and travels through the tube. Called also auditory tube. (See also Plates.)

pha·ryn·go·tym·pan·ic (auditory) tube

[TA] a tube leading from the tympanic cavity to the nasopharynx; it consists of an osseous (posterolateral) portion at the tympanic end, and a fibrocartilaginous (anteromedial) portion at the pharyngeal end; where the two portions join, in the region of the sphenopetrosal fissure, is the narrowest portion of the tube (isthmus); the auditory tube enables equalization of pressure within the tympanic cavity with ambient air pressure, referred to commonly as "popping of the ears." Synonym(s): tuba auditiva [TA], auditory tube ☆ , tuba auditoria ☆ , eustachian tube, guttural duct, otopharyngeal tube, otosalpinx, tuba acustica, tuba eustachiana, tuba eustachii

eustachian tube

Eustachian tube

(yo͞o-stā′shən, -shē-ən, -kē-ən)n. Anatomy A slender tube that connects the tympanic cavity with the nasal part of the pharynx and serves to equalize air pressure on either side of the eardrum.

Eustachian tube

A narrow canal that connects the anterior wall of the tympanic cavity with the lateral wall of the nasopharynx.
Functions
Equalisation of pressure differences between the middle ear and the external atmosphere; mucus drainage from the middle ear.

Eustachian tube

A short passage leading backwards from the back of the nose, just above the soft palate, on either side, to the cavity of the middle ear. This allows air to pass to or from the middle ear cavity to balance the pressure on either side of the eardrum. (Bartolomeo Eustachi, Italian anatomist, b. around 1520 d. 1574).

eustachian tube

a tube passing from the pharynx to the middle ear in higher vertebrates, serving to equalize the pressure on either side of the TYMPANIC MEMBRANE. It opens during swallowing.

Eustachian tube

A tube of cartilage that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. Its purpose is to equalize the pressure on either side of the eardrum.Mentioned in: Common Cold, Hyperbaric Chamber, Otitis Media, Perforated Eardrum

Eustachio,

Bartolommeo E., Italian anatomist, 1524-1574. eustachian catheter - a catheter used for catheterization of the middle ear through the eustachian tube.eustachian cushion - a ridge in the nasopharyngeal wall posterior to the opening of the eustachian tube. Synonym(s): torus tubariuseustachian tonsil - a collection of lymphoid nodules near the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube. Synonym(s): tubal tonsileustachian tube - a tube leading from the tympanic cavity to the nasopharynx. Synonym(s): auditory tube; tuba eustachiana; tuba eustachiieustachian tuber - a slight projection from the labyrinthine wall of the middle ear below the fenestra vestibuli (ovalis).eustachian valve - an endocardial fold extending from the anterior inferior margin of the inferior vena cava to the anterior part of the limbus fossa ovalis. Synonym(s): valve of inferior vena cavatuba eustachiana - Synonym(s): eustachian tubetuba eustachii - Synonym(s): eustachian tube

Eustachian tube

eu·sta·chian tube

Eustachian tube

Eu•sta′chian tube`

eu·sta·chian tube

eustachian tube

Eustachian tube

Eustachian tube

Eustachian Tube

eustachian tube

eustachian tube

Eustachian tube

Eustachian tube

eustachian tube

pha·ryn·go·tym·pan·ic (auditory) tube

eustachian tube

Eustachian tube

Eustachian tube

Eustachian tube

eustachian tube

Eustachian tube

Eustachio,

Eustachian tube

Synonyms for Eustachian tube

noun either of the paired tubes connecting the middle ears to the nasopharynx

Synonyms

Related Words