Attic Retraction Ear Drum

The ear canal and ear drum are covered with skin but down the ear canal there is no friction so the skin grows in a different way.

Attic retraction ear drum.

Long process of incus attic retraction and middle ear effusion visible post ear wax removal 342 duration. As mentioned an eardrum retraction is frequently caused by the infections we acquire. Such causes can include for example poor eustachian tube function which results in retraction of the ear drum and failure of the normal outward migration of skin. A retracted eardrum is one that appears concave.

The surface layer of the skin on the ear drum moves over the surface of the ear drum and along the ear canal before before shedding and mixing with the oils produced in the outer part of the ear canal to form wax. Mr neel raithatha aka the wax whisperer 28 454 views 2 07. Fluid draining from the ear. Tympanic membrane retraction describes a condition in which a part of the eardrum lies deeper within the ear than its normal position.

In a retrospective study of 345 patients with middle ear cholesteatoma operated on by the same surgeon the overall 5 year recurrence rate was 11 8. 1 attic retraction pocket cholesteatoma is clearly visualized white arrow. The eardrum is draped over the incus stapes and round window. Allergies ablaze sinuses and respiratory unhealthiness among others cause the eustachian tube to be blocked not equalizing the air pressure on both ears thus leading to a retracted ear drum.

Further progression of retraction pockets can cause destruction of the eardrum. There has been significant bone erosion of the ear canal wall above the eardrum. Medical professionals may also call a retracted eardrum middle ear atelectasis to understand the conditions that may cause this you must first understand a little bit about the eardrum called the tympanic membrane and the normal physiology of the middle ear. Skin material often accumulates in this pocket and becomes infected causing drainage and potential severe complications.

The membrane can drop over the ossicles and cause a variety of symptoms. Many of theses eardrums have tympanosclerosis or white plaques on the eardrum. The picture on the far right shows a severely retracted eardrum with attic retraction pocket formation. A retracted eardrum usually doesn t cause any symptoms.