What is the pathophysiology of otitis externa?
Otitis externa develops when the external ear canal becomes susceptible to bacterial or fungal infection by various mechanisms. Sudden invasive changes in humidity from a rapid intake of water into the ear canal can predispose the external ear to bacterial infection.
What is the pathophysiology of an 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.
What causes external ear infections?
Outer ear infections are usually caused by bacteria. They are sometimes caused by a fungus, such as a yeast, but that’s less common. Viral illnesses like the flu or a certain type of shingles (Zoster oticus) may also lead to an outer ear infection.
Which ear has no auditory function?
The nerves and hair sensors in the inner ears can get damage due to aging or from being around too much loud noise for too long. Hearing loss can happen when your inner ears can’t send nerve signals to your brain as well as they used to.
What is external infection?
External otitis is an acute infection of the ear canal skin typically caused by bacteria (Pseudomonas is most common). Symptoms include pain, discharge, and hearing loss if the ear canal has swollen shut; manipulation of the auricle causes pain.
What is pathology of the ear?
Two major sections are: (1) general pathology of the ear, which illustrates the changes caused by inflammatory diseases, neoplasms, and systemic bone diseases and otosclerosis; and (2) inner ear pathology, which includes developmental disorders, and endocrine disorders, vascular diseases, different forms of acquired …
What can you do for an outer ear infection?
Treatment of outer ear infection
- Over-the-counter painkillers. Your GP may recommend over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease any pain.
- Ear drops or sprays. Your GP may prescribe ear drops or a spray containing an antibiotic or an antifungal.
- Antibiotic tablets or capsules.
What is the meaning of outer ear?
The outer ear is the portion of the ear that can be seen by casual inspection. The concha ends at the ear canal, most correctly called the external auditory meatus. The ear canal ends at the eardrum (the tympanic membrane), which serves as the boundary between the outer and middle ears.
What is the function of the external auditory canal?
Once the sound waves have passed the pinna, they move two to three centimetres into the auditory canal before hitting the eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane. The external auditory canal’s function is to transmit sound from the pinna to the eardrum.
What is the basic function of the outer ear?
The function of the outer ear is to collect sound waves and guide them to the tympanic membrane. The middle ear is a narrow air-filled cavity in the temporal bone. It is spanned by a chain of three tiny bones—the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup), collectively called the auditory ossicles.