Swallowing during airplane takeoffs and landings allows air to move through the Eustachian tube to equalize pressure across the eardrum, causing the ears to “pop.”
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The Eustachian tube connects from the chamber of the middle ear to the back of the pharynx.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
The middle ear is connected to the pharynx through the Eustachian tube, which helps equilibrate air pressure across the tympanic membrane.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
Following one of these infections, the Eustachian tube becomes inflamed and blocked.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 7, 2010
The constant sucking can cause harm to the Eustachian tube, making it more difficult for the middle ear to drain.
From Time Magazine Archive
Incidentally, another piece of tubing in the body, the Eustachian tube linking the middle ear to the pharynx, was also described around this time, by Bartolomeo Eustachio.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
A meager description of his methods of " finger surgery " was given, whereby he claims to " reconstruct" the eustachian tube by manipulation through the mouth while the patient is under anaesthesia.
From Time Magazine Archive
Difficulty of hearing, probably due to an extension of catarrhal inflammation from the throat into the eustachian tube.
From Time Magazine Archive
Some of the solution or nasal discharge may be forced into the eustachian tube.
From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson
Causes.—Acute coryza, acute pharyngitis, influenza, scarlet fever, inflammation of the eustachian tube, gargling, bathing, employing the nasal douche or violently blowing the nose.
From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson
These originate most frequently by means of the eustachian tube, which connects the ear with the back part of the mouth as a result of the catarrh of the nose and throat.
From Prof. Koch's Method to Cure Tuberculosis Popularly Treated by Brendecke, Fr. (Friedrich)
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
