Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eustachian tube
The Eustachian tube (or auditory tube) is a tube that links the pharynx to the middle ear. In adults the Eustachian tube is approximately 35 mm long. Some medical books call this the pharyngotympanic tube. Normally the Eustachian tube is closed, but it can open to let a small amount of air through to equalize the pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere. When this happens we hear a small pop, an event familiar to airplane travelers or drivers in mountainous regions. Yawning or swallowing can pull on muscles in the neck, causing the tube to open. Some people are born with the ability to contract just these muscles voluntarily, similar to people who can wiggle their ears. Without this airway, the middle ear would be isolated from the atmosphere, and could be easily damaged by pressure changes.
Related Stories
1
2
Health & Medicine News
October 25, 2026
Oct. 25, 2026 Missing blood pressure medication could mean losing much of its protection against heart attacks and strokes, according to an analysis of more than 91,000 people. Patients who consistently took their medication experienced an 11% reduction in major ...
Oct. 25, 2026 A major new study reveals that drinking just two alcoholic beverages a day is associated with a 1 in 25 lifetime risk of death from alcohol-related causes, challenging the idea that moderate drinking is harmless. Researchers also found no ...
Oct. 25, 2026 Scientists have discovered how pancreatic cancer cells continually reshape their genetic makeup to become more aggressive, spread, and evade treatment. In laboratory experiments, blocking a key gene ...
Oct. 25, 2026 A common, inexpensive medication could hold an unexpected clue to preventing dementia. Researchers found that older adults with a specific genetic profile had a 70% lower relative risk of dementia when taking low-dose aspirin, even though previous ...
Oct. 25, 2026 A cannabis-derived ingredient commonly found in sleep gummies may be more habit-forming than previously thought, with new research showing that repeated exposure caused tolerance and withdrawal symptoms in mice. Scientists warn that CBN may carry ...
Oct. 24, 2026 Scientists have uncovered a surprising new clue to why the Mediterranean diet is so good for the heart, brain, and healthy aging. Researchers at USC found that older adults who closely followed the diet had higher levels of two tiny proteins, ...
Oct. 24, 2026 A small device that gently stimulates nerves through the ear could offer a new way to tackle stubborn high blood pressure. In a clinical trial of 63 patients already taking medication, the treatment proved safe, easy to use at home, and well ...
Oct. 24, 2026 A major study has uncovered hidden warning signs of inflammatory bowel disease in the blood up to 10 years before diagnosis. Researchers discovered distinct antibody patterns that could help predict ...
Oct. 24, 2026 Scientists have discovered that switching off a protein called Mitch makes human cells burn more fat and prevents new fat cells from developing. The breakthrough builds on experiments in mice that showed remarkable resistance to obesity and improved ...
Oct. 23, 2026 Scientists discovered that the thick, sticky fluid surrounding glioblastoma tumors can make brain cancer cells smaller, more flexible, and better at invading surrounding tissue. Even more troubling, ...
Oct. 23, 2026 Researchers have uncovered a surprising reason dental implant infections often resist antibiotics: the implants themselves can contribute to the problem. Bacteria corrode titanium implants, releasing microscopic particles that hijack immune cells, ...
Oct. 23, 2026 A newly FDA-cleared PTSD treatment uses personalized brain mapping and magnetic stimulation to target abnormal brain activity, with a clinical trial reporting a 52% reduction in symptoms and 68% remission. Researchers believe the technology could ...
Latest Headlines
updated 12:56 pm ET
Oct. 23, 2026 A seven-year study found that people with Parkinson’s disease who were more physically active experienced slower declines in memory, thinking, and ...
Oct. 22, 2026 Cambridge researchers have created a groundbreaking $10 optical sensor that delivers the precision of laboratory equipment in a device small enough ...
Oct. 22, 2026 Researchers have uncovered a hidden immune defense capable of attacking small cell lung cancer, an extremely aggressive disease that often escapes conventional treatments. The specialized immune ...
Oct. 22, 2026 A surprising two-year clinical trial found that fish oil supplements successfully delivered omega-3s to the brain but failed to improve memory or protect against Alzheimer's-related brain shrinkage. ...
Oct. 22, 2026 Scientists have captured virus-like particles assembling themselves step by step, revealing how a surprisingly simple process of trial and error produces complex structures with remarkable precision. ...
Oct. 22, 2026 Researchers have developed a revolutionary microscope that uses an incredibly powerful laser to make previously invisible cellular structures easier to see. The technology dramatically improves image ...
Oct. 22, 2026 Your morning coffee may be packing more calories than you realize, and sugar isn't the biggest reason. A study of 30,000 Americans found that non-dairy creamer has overtaken sugar and milk as the ...
Oct. 21, 2026 A natural compound extracted from a medicinal plant has shown surprising promise against rheumatoid arthritis. In rats, it reduced joint swelling, protected cartilage, and calmed the immune responses ...
Oct. 21, 2026 A simple, steroid-free procedure could offer lasting relief for people struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome, potentially helping them avoid ...
Oct. 21, 2026 Researchers analyzing nearly 150,000 Reddit posts uncovered unexpected symptom reports linked by users to unapproved versions of retatrutide, ...