Eustachian tube patency

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Ear anatomy

Eustachian tube anatomy

Eustachian tube patency refers to how much the eustachian tube is open. The eustachian tube runs between the middle ear and the throat. This tube regulates the pressure around the ear drum.

Patency is the normal state of the eustachian tube. Ear infections or altitude changes can increase pressure in the ear, causing the eustachian tube to become blocked. 

Review Date: 08/08/2005
Reviewed By: Kevin Fung, M.D., FRCS(C), Department of Otolaryngology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.