Eustachian tube

Ohr-speicheldriise, /. parotid gland, -stein, m. otolith, -trommel,/, eardrum, -trompete,/. (Anat.) Eustachian tube, -wachs, n. ear wax, cerumen, -wasser, n. endolymph. 

Decongestants are used to treat the congestion associated with rhinitis, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and the common cold. In addition, they are used in adjunctive therapy of middle ear infections to decrease congestion around the eustachian tube Nasal inhalers may relieve ear block and pressure pain during air travel. Many can be administered orally as well as topically, but topical application is more effective than the oral route. 

Multiple factors play a role in the development of AOM. Viral infection of the nasopharynx impairs eustachian tube function and causes mucosal inflammation, impairing mucociliary clearance and promoting bacterial proliferation and infection. Children are predisposed to AOM because their eustachian tubes are shorter, more flaccid, and more horizontal than adults, which make them less functional for drainage and protection of the middle ear from bacterial entry. Clinical signs and symptoms of AOM are the result of host immune response and damage to cells caused by inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor and interleukins that are released from bacteria.4... 

Acute bacterial otitis media usually follows a viral upper respiratory tract infection that causes eustachian tube dysfunction and mucosal swelling in the middle ear. 

Siloxane-containing devices have also been used as contact lenses, tracheostomy vents, tracheal stents, antireflux cuffs, extracorporeal dialysis, ureteral stents, tibial cups, synovial fluids, toe joints, testes penile prosthesis, gluteal pads, hip implants, pacemakers, intra-aortic balloon pumps, heart valves, eustachian tubes, wrist joints, ear frames, finger joints, and in the construction of brain membranes. Almost all the siloxane polymers are based on various polydimethylsiloxanes. 

As a nasal decongestant in sinusitis, in otitis media where there is evidence of obstruction of the eustachian tube especially in subacute serous otitis media and otitic barotrauma. 

Nitrous oxide is approximately 34 times more soluble in blood than nitrogen. It will diffuse into, and from, air-containing cavities more rapidly than nitrogen. Thus, during nitrous oxide anaesthesia, air-or gas-filled cavities will tend to expand with the risk of rupture and pneumothorax, e.g. lung cyst, bullae. Similarly, chronic inflammation in the middle ear may result in blockage of the Eustachian tube. In these circumstances, nitrous oxide may induce barotrauma and pain. 

Ephedrine, given im/iv/sc, is indicated for the treatment of acute hypotensive states, treatment of Adams-Stokes syndrome with complete heart block, stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS) to combat narcolepsy and depressive states, treatment of acute bronchospasm, treatment of enuresis, and treatment of myasthenia gravis. When given in nasal form, ephedrine is used in the treatment of nasal congestion, promotion of nasal or sinus drainage, or relief of eustachian tube congestion. 

Her pharyngitis became progressively worse, leading to inflammation of the eustachian tubes and hearing impairment. Nausea and diarrhea did not occur in a patient who developed severe dermal reactions after taking 2.3 mg/kg/day 2,4-DNP for 14 days (Anderson et al. 1933). 

The eustachian tubes may become blocked with mucus and infected, and otitis media may result. 

ET endotracheal esotropia eustachian tube ejection time exercise treadmill... 

Early modern experiments in anatomy confirmed and intensified interest in the ear as a permeable orifice. In 1564 the anatomist Bartolomeo Eustachio identified the passage now known as the eustachian tube. As an open passage, the eustachian tube represents the ear s ability to transmit matter in or out of the body. As Eustachio commented, Knowledge of this passage will be very useful to physicians for the correct use of medicaments, because now they will know that even thick material can be expelled or purged from the... 

Pseudoephedrine, a sympathomimetic agent with decongestant properties (60 mg p.o. q. 4 to 6 honrs), is used in nasal and eustachian tube decongestion. 

The ear consists of three parts the external, middle, and inner ear. The external ear consists of the pinna and the external auditory canal that transmits sound to the middle ear. The middle ear has an air-filled cavity that contains auditory ossicles, which are the malleus, incus, and stapes. The auditory ossicles forward the sound to the inner ear where the eardrum is located. Pressure on both sides of the eardrum is equalized by the eustachian tube that connects to the nasopharynx. The eardrum could rupture if pressure becomes unequal. The inner ear also contains a series of canals called the labyrinths that are made up of the vestibule, cochlea, and semicircular canals. The vestibule maintains equilibrium and balance and the cochlea is the principal hearing organ. 

Ear congestion can be caused by the improper drainage of the eustachian tube. This can be relieved by administering antihistamine-decongestant medications such as Actifed, Allerest, Dimetapp, Drixoral, Novafed, Omade, and Triaminic, all of which are available over the counter. 

The solution should be inserted laterally toward the midline of the superior concha of the ethmoid bone, not the base of the nasal cavity where it will run down the throat and into the eustachian tube. 

The nurse should administer eardrops to a child yoimger than age 3 in this manner. This is done because of the short eustachian tube of a child. The charge nurse need take no action. 

The eustachian tube is a bony channel lined with soft tissue extending from the middle ear to the nasopharynx. In humans it is often closed, except during swallowing, and provides a means by which pressure is equalized across the tympanic membrane. The function is clearly observed with changes in altitude or barometric pressure. A second function of the eustachian tube is to aerate the tissues of the middle ear. 

Siegel, M.I., Todhunter, J.S., Doyle, W.J. Rood, S.R. 1983. Computer reconstruction of eustachian tube anatomy. Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 92, 10-14. 

Eustachian tube The tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat (pharynx) in vertebrates. It is normally closed, but during swallowing it opens to allow air into the middle ear, which equalizes the pressure on each side of the tympa-num (eardrum). It was named after the Italian anatomist Bartolomeo Eustachio ( 1520-74). 

Pain in Tissues As one goes up in altitude, the middle ear vents through the Eustachian tube into the throat to equalize the pressure on both sides of the ear drum. Altitude reduces pressure outside the ear drum until ears pop through a sudden pressure release from the middle ear. This adjustment occurs quite naturally without effort. Swallowing can help to release middle ear pressure. 

When one moves rapidly from altitude to sea level, the surrounding pressure is higher outside the ear drum. It is more difficult to equalize the pressure because the opening of the Eustachian tube in the throat may seal shut. The increase in atmospheric pressure can create pain. 

The middle ear begins on the inner side of the ear drum. The middle ear is an air-filled chamber that vents to the throat through the Eustachian tube. It contains three small bones (ossicles) and two suspensory muscles for them. The three bones are the maleus (hammer), the incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup). Sound energy travels across the three bones from the tympanic membrane of the outer ear to the oval window of the inner ear. The action of these three bones produces an amplification of about 2.5 dB. The suspensory muscles are the tensor tympani and the stapedius. When there is a loud sound, these muscles contract and provide some attenuation of energy transmitted across the three bones. 

Active substances formulated as nasal preparations are traditionally used in the treatment of local ailments such as allergy, congestion and infections. Nasal preparations that are prepared in the pharmacy are mainly intended for the inner part of the nose. In addition nasal drops are often applied in diseases of the middle ear, in order to keep the Eustachian tube open (see Sect. 9.1). 

Ear drops are not the only dosage form for treatment of diseases of the ear. Nose drops with decongestants are used to keep the Eustachian tube open to relieve the pressure and pain in otitis media, although the effect is not proven. In diseases of the middle ear nasal drops can be used... 

The middle ear is connected to the nasal pharynx by the Eustachian tube and to the inner ear via the oval and the round window. 

Fig. 4 Photomicrographs of hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the middle ear from a guinea pig. 1 external auditory canal, 2 tympanic membrane, 3 junction of the tympanic membrane and malleus, 4 cochlea, 5 malleus, 6 incus, 7 stapes, 8 round window, 9 tensor tympani, 70 middle ear mucosa, 11 entrance to the eustachian tube...

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