Question

In: Anatomy and Physiology

What happens when you are on an airplane and you feel your ears start to “pop”...

What happens when you are on an airplane and you feel your ears start to “pop” or have a plugged-up feeling that is somewhat relieved when you swallow? Why does this feeling of the eardrum occur, and why does swallowing relieve the symptoms?

Solutions

Expert Solution

Generally, the pressure inside the ear is somewhat equal to the pressure inside the ear and we don't feel any plugged up feeling. But while traveling in an airplane, the change in the altitude is so rapid that air pressure and pressure inside the ear don't have to get equal.  

When the flight takes off and the plane starts to rise up, the pressure inside the ear starts to rise and it becomes greater than the outside pressure, this causes the Tympanic membrane to push outwards or swell outside.

similarly, when the air pressure inside the ear is less than the outside pressure, the tympanic membrane will move inwards creating a vacuum. This stretch in eardrum causes pain.

During Swallowing: We usually hear a click or pop sound which is because of the movement of the air bubble from nose to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. The tube maintains that the air which is present inside the middle ear is continuously being replenished. The air which is present in the middle ear is then absorbed to the inner ear and the cycle again starts. The constant cycle makes sure that the pressure inside and outside the ear remains equal.


Related Solutions

what do you think happens to your budget when your financial position changes?
what do you think happens to your budget when your financial position changes?
What happens to your body when you do a sprint? 1. Explain the science in your...
What happens to your body when you do a sprint? 1. Explain the science in your own words as if you are describing it to someone with no scientific knowledge (make sure you use appropriate words). 1. Tell me about ATP, what is the different types of energy and when does what get activated 1. Tell me what happens from the time you get into place to sprint, to the end of it.
What happens to your body when you do a sprint? 1. Explain the science in your...
What happens to your body when you do a sprint? 1. Explain the science in your own words as if you are describing it to someone with no scientific knowledge (make sure you use appropriate words). 1. Tell me about ATP, what is the different types of energy and when does what get activated 1. Tell me what happens from the time you get into place to sprint, to the end of it.
What happens to the pattern when you: A. Increase the wavelength? (What happens for double slit...
What happens to the pattern when you: A. Increase the wavelength? (What happens for double slit pattern and single slit pattern?) B. Slits are moved closer (what happens for double-slit patterm?) C. Each slit is widened (what happens to single-slit pattern?)
What happens if you have an imbalance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts? Specifically, what happens when you...
What happens if you have an imbalance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts? Specifically, what happens when you have too many osteoblasts versus when you have too many osteoclasts?
3. What happens to your body when you eat something? 1. Explain the science in your...
3. What happens to your body when you eat something? 1. Explain the science in your own words as if you are describing it to someone with no scientific knowledge (make sure you use appropriate words). 2. Explain all the steps from chewing all the day to the end
What happens to your body when you eat something? 1. Explain the science in your own...
What happens to your body when you eat something? 1. Explain the science in your own words as if you are describing it to someone with no scientific knowledge (make sure you use appropriate words). 2. Explain all the steps from chewing all the day to the end
What happens to your body when you get scared? 1. Explain the science in your own...
What happens to your body when you get scared? 1. Explain the science in your own words as if you are describing it to someone with no scientific knowledge (make sure you use appropriate words). 1. Talk about fight or flight, tell me about NE and Epinephrine, explain it to me as if I don’t know what this is.
What happens to your body when you get scared? 1. Explain the science in your own...
What happens to your body when you get scared? 1. Explain the science in your own words as if you are describing it to someone with no scientific knowledge (make sure you use appropriate words). 1. Talk about fight or flight, tell me about NE and Epinephrine, explain it to me as if I don’t know what this is
You feel that you will need $3.7 million in your retirement account and when you reach...
You feel that you will need $3.7 million in your retirement account and when you reach that amount, you plan to retire. You feel you can earn an APR of 10.2 percent compounded monthly and plan to save $530 per month until you reach your goal. How many years will it be until you reach your goal and retire? Multiple Choice 48.48 years 40.37 years 37.26 years 42.21 years 34.60 years
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT