BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuEustachian tube patencyEustachian tube patency refers to how much the eustachian tube is open. The eustachian tube runs between the middle ear and the throat. It controls the pressure behind the eardrum in the middle ear space. This helps keep the middle ear free of fluid.The eustachian tube is normally open, or patent. However, some conditions can increase pressure in the ear such as:Ear infections Ear infectionsSuspected ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the health care provider. The most common type of ear inf...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Upper respiratory infections Altitude changesAltitude changesThe air pressure outside of your body changes as altitude changes. This creates a difference in pressure on the two sides of the eardrum. You may f...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article These can cause the eustachian tube to become blocked.Open ReferencesReferencesKerschner JE, Preciado D. Otitis media. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 658.O'Reilly RC, Levi J. Anatomy and physiology of the eustachian tube. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 130.AllVideoImagesTogEar anatomy - illustration The ear consists of external, middle, and inner structures. The eardrum and the 3 tiny bones conduct sound from the eardrum to the cochlea.Ear anatomyillustrationEustachian tube anatomy - illustration The eustachian tube is the tube that runs between the middle ear and pharynx and regulates the ear pressure around the ear drum. Eustachian tube anatomyillustrationEar anatomy - illustration The ear consists of external, middle, and inner structures. The eardrum and the 3 tiny bones conduct sound from the eardrum to the cochlea.Ear anatomyillustrationEustachian tube anatomy - illustration The eustachian tube is the tube that runs between the middle ear and pharynx and regulates the ear pressure around the ear drum. Eustachian tube anatomyillustrationRelated Information Review Date: 7/28/2022 Reviewed By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Eustachian tube patencyEustachian tube patency refers to how much the eustachian tube is open. The eustachian tube runs between the middle ear and the throat. It controls the pressure behind the eardrum in the middle ear space. This helps keep the middle ear free of fluid.The eustachian tube is normally open, or patent. However, some conditions can increase pressure in the ear such as:Ear infections Ear infectionsSuspected ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the health care provider. The most common type of ear inf...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Upper respiratory infections Altitude changesAltitude changesThe air pressure outside of your body changes as altitude changes. This creates a difference in pressure on the two sides of the eardrum. You may f...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article These can cause the eustachian tube to become blocked.Open ReferencesReferencesKerschner JE, Preciado D. Otitis media. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 658.O'Reilly RC, Levi J. Anatomy and physiology of the eustachian tube. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 130.