glue ear

Question 1

defintion

Answer 1

condition in which the middle ear fills with glue like substance instead of air

Question 2

pathophysiology

Answer 2

• ear is divided into 3 parts the outer, middle and inner ear
• sound waves hit the ear drum of the outer ear causing it to vibrate
• behind the ear drum there are 3 tiny bones called isosceles (maleus, incus and stapes)
• the vibration passes to these bones which transmits the vibration to the cochlea in the inner ear
• the cochlea converts the vibration into elecircla signals which travel to the brian via the glossopharyngeal nerve

Question 3

the middle ear is normally

Answer 3

filled with air and is connected to the back of the nose via the eustachian tube which is normally closed except when we chew, swallow and yawn where the eustachian tube opens and lets air into the middle ear and drains any fluid out

Question 4

but in glue ear

Answer 4

the balance of fluid and air in the middle ear becomes altered if the eustachian tube becomes narrowed, blockers or does not open properly

Question 5

management

Answer 5

most commonly resolves spontaneously but if persistent or severe a grommet can be surgically implanted