eustachian tube; auditory tube; pharyngotympanic tube

Function

• a short tube that connects the middle ear space & the nasopharynx
• the eustachian tube is normally closed; it usually opens with swallowing, yawning, or change in air pressure between the middle ear space & the nasopharynx
• it functions to:
  • maintain atmospheric pressure in the middle ear
  • protect middle ear from reflux of secretions from the nasopharynx
  • clear middle ear secretions into the nasopharynx by ciliary action

Muscles

• the tensor veli palatini muscle opens & closes the eustachian tube

Innervation

• fibers from the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) project to the eustachian tube

More general terms

• anatomic canal
• ear structure

More specific terms

• isthmus of auditory/pharyngotympanic/eustachian tube
• tubal prominence (eustachian cushion)

Component of

• middle ear