Otitis media. Artwork of the middle ear affected by otitis media. Otitis media is an inflammation due to an upper respiratory tract infection moving up the eustachian tube (far left) which joins the middle ear to the nasal cavity. The three tiny ear bones (ossicles, white) which transmit sound to the inner ear are: the malleus (upper centre), the incus (upper right) and the stapes (lower right). The infection causes blockage of the tube and a build-up of pus (yellow) behind the eardrum (red, lower left). This causes ear pain, impaired hearing and fever. In some cases the eardrum may burst, relieving the pain. The infection can usually be cleared up with antibiotics.

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