cerumen

Introduction

Formed from dead epithelial cells, hair & secretions of sebaceous glands & modified apocrine sweat glands that line the skin of the cartilagenous auditory canal. Cerumen is normally extruded by motion of ear cilia in combination with movement of the jaw.

Cerumen is normally honey-colored to dark brown. The darker the color of cerumen, the longer it has been exposed to air. Dry cerumen is usually light grey & becomes brittle, ashlike & flaky or scaly.

Reduced activity & number of sebaceous glands & apocrine sweat glands correlates with a drier, more viscous cerumen

Also see dry earwax phenotype

Complications

• cerumen impactation
• the presence of white, cheesy or mucous material suggests otitis externa

Management

• unnecessary to remove cerumen unless
  • hearing loss
  • symptoms requiring visualization of the auditory canal or tympanic membrane
• also see ear wax removal

More general terms

• extracellular compartment (extracellular space)
• body fluid

Additional terms

• cerumen impactation (obstruction)
• dry earwax phenotype
• ear wax removal