Nervous System
When you rise in altitude rapidly, why do your internal ears feel uncomfortable until they “pop”?
Atmospheric air pushes the tympanic membrane inwards.
The Eustachian tubes are squashed by the increase in pressure.
Air in the middle ear expands which pushes on the tympanic membrane.
The Eustachian tubes are squashed by the decrease in pressure.
Air in the middle ear expands which pushes on the tympanic membrane.
Atmospheric air pressure decreases as altitude increases. The air trapped in the middle ear remains at atmospheric pressure if we rapidly gain altitude, so this trapped air volume in the middle ear expands (Boyle’s law). This causes the ear drum to be uncomfortably deformed outwards. When the Eustachian tube (which is normally squashed flat) opens to allow some air to escape from the middle ear compartment, comfort is restored.
Air in the middle ear expands which pushes on the tympanic membrane. Atmospheric air pressure decreases as altitude increases. The air trapped in the middle ear remains at atmospheric pressure if we rapidly gain altitude, so this trapped air volume in the middle ear expands (Boyle’s law). This causes the ear drum to be uncomfortably deformed outwards. When the Eustachian tube (which is normally squashed flat) opens to allow some air to escape from the middle ear compartment, comfort is restored.
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