- #WHO IDENTIFIED THE TUBE CONNECTING EAR AND THROAT PDF#
- #WHO IDENTIFIED THE TUBE CONNECTING EAR AND THROAT SKIN#
The shedding of migrated skin mixes with secretions from the glands to form wax any collection in the external ear canal – such as dead skin cells, dust, debris, shed hair or wax – naturally migrates out into the conchal bowl (Fig 2).
Unlike the rest of the body, where skin grows from the basal layers towards the surface, the skin in the external ear canal migrates from the tympanic membrane towards the entrance the rate of migration varies between individuals. It is estimated that the ceruminous glands and hair follicles develop when the foetus is about five months old (Szymanski and Geiger, 2020). The sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum into the root canal of the hair follicles, while the ceruminous glands are modified apocrine sweat glands, which open into the base of the hair follicles and produce a moist white secretion that darkens and thickens as it dries, becoming sticky. In continuation of the pinna, the outer third is composed of cartilage skin lining this cartilage has hair follicles and wax-producing glands, which are a combination of ceruminous and sebaceous glands. The external ear canal, sometimes referred to as the external auditory canal or external auditory meatus (EAM), is lined with skin and is approximately 2.5cm long. If both sides of the head are affected, it is often considered to be an inherited abnormality.įailure in the development of the anti-helix – a curved prominence of cartilage that is parallel with, and in front of, the helix or outer rim of the ear (Fig 2) – leads to protruding ears this is also often an inherited trait. Preauricular sinus is a common congenital abnormality in which complete fusion of the hillocks fails to occur it often appears as a tiny skin-lined hole in front of the upper ear, where the cartilage of the ear meets the face (Fig 2). Sometimes the pinna fails to develop fully – known as microtia – and in some babies the ear canal may also be absent. During foetal development, the pinna (the visible part of the ear) forms from little bumps (hillocks) on the side of the head, which grow and fuse. The ear starts to develop as early as in the sixth week of pregnancy. While the external and middle ears are mainly concerned with the transmission of sound, the inner ear contains the cochlea – often called the organ of hearing – and also houses the body’s organ of balance. The ear is divided into three interconnecting sections: external, middle and inner ears (Fig 1). Nurses need to understand the structure and the function of the ear, as they may have to care for patients who have chronic ear problems and across many different specialties, in both hospital and community settings. Assess your knowledge and gain CPD evidence by taking the Nursing Times Self-assessment test.
#WHO IDENTIFIED THE TUBE CONNECTING EAR AND THROAT PDF#
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This article has been double-blind peer reviewed.Nursing Times 117: 4, 56-59.Īuthor: Hilary Harkin is ear, nose and throat clinical nurse specialist, Ear, Nose and Throat Outpatient Department, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Nurses may be caring for patients with chronic ear problems across many nursing specialties in both hospital and community settings, and they need to understand the structure and function of the ear.Ĭitation: Harkin H (2021) The structure and function of the ear and its role in hearing and balance. Ear problems can be debilitating for patients and may also be associated with other health conditions. The ears provide the important functions of hearing and balance.
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