why are the ears connected to the throat and nose ?
In: 14
Hearing involves conduction of sound waves from the outer ear, through the ear canal, across the tympanic membrane (aka ear drum), along three middle ear bones, and then to the inner ear organs which convert the sound waves to nerve impulses to the brain. In order for the sound waves to conduct effectively across the tympanic membrane, there needs to be relatively equal pressures on both sides of the membrane.
There is where the eustachian tube comes in; it acts as a conduit between the middle ear and the nose/upper throat to allow for pressure equalization. It also allows for mucus and fluid drainage
Short answer: pressure. This connection (called the eustachian tubes) allows the inner ear to equilibriate to the external pressure. If not there would be no way for your body to adjust the inner ear pressure to changes in external pressure from weather/altitude, which could cause your eardrum to rupture if the difference becomes too severe.
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