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Eustachian tubes

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Eustachian tubes

Ear anatomy showing ear canal, eardrum in middle ear, and eustachian tube coming out of middle ear.

When you yawn or swallow, the eustachian tubes open briefly and make the air pressure equal inside and outside the ears.

The eustachian tubes drain fluid from the ears. But if a tube can't open, fluid can get trapped in the middle ear. This creates pressure that can cause ear pain.

Current as of: February 27, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
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