What structure connects the middle ear to the throat and is often obstructed due to infections?

The structure that connects the middle ear to the throat is the Eustachian tube. This tube plays a crucial role in maintaining equal air pressure on both sides of the eardrum, which is essential for proper hearing. It allows for the drainage of fluid and helps to ventilate the middle ear.

Infections, particularly those affecting the upper respiratory tract, can lead to inflammation and swelling of the Eustachian tube, resulting in obstruction. This obstruction can create a vacuum in the middle ear, leading to discomfort, fluid buildup, and potentially contributing to middle ear infections or otitis media.

The auditory canal, while important for transmitting sound to the eardrum, does not connect the middle ear to the throat and functions differently. The ossicles are the small bones in the middle ear that amplify sound vibrations but are not involved in connecting to the throat. Semicircular canals are part of the inner ear and are responsible for balance, not for pressure equalization or drainage of the middle ear.