Because of the anatomy and location of the ear, conditions that cause pain in the ear are also often felt in the neck. One reason for this is that the front of the ear canal is formed by the jaw bone. Another reason is that muscles and nerves from the neck connect to bones that surround the ear. In addition, the eustachian tubes connect the ears to the back of the throat, and inflammation in the tubes can be felt in the neck.
Otitis Media
Acute otitis media, or an acute infection of the middle part of the ear, is a very common cause of ear inflammation. The infection forms in the part of the ear behind the eardrum and causes inflammation of the eardrum and the tissues behind it. Since the eustachian tubes connect to the middle ear behind the ear drum, they are often involved in the inflammation. That inflammation can often be felt in the neck.
Swimmer's Ear
Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection of the skin of the ear canal. That infection causes swelling and inflammation in the ear canal that can cause severe pain. In some cases, the infection is severe enough that it affects deeper tissues or spreads to skin outside of the ear canal. In those cases, the pain can often be felt in the upper neck.
Lymphadenitis
Infections of the ears and the upper respiratory tract often occur together. Lymph nodes in the neck function to filter the debris from the surrounding tissues and often become involved in those infections. Lymphadenitis, a term that describes inflammation of the lymph nodes, occurs due to lymph node involvement resulting from these infections. Lymphadenitis can cause significant pain, swelling and tenderness in the neck.
Mastoiditis
The bone that surrounds the ear is called the mastoid bone. When an infection in the middle part of the ear is severe enough, the mastoid bone can be come inflamed. A muscle called the sternocleidomastoid is a large muscle in the neck that connects to the mastoid bone. In cases of mastoiditis, the pain from the mastoid can often be felt in the upper neck because of that connection.
Malignant Otitis Externa
Malignant otitis externa is a condition that starts as swimmer's ear and progresses to involve the bone of the ear canal. While pain from this condition is most severe around the ear, it can also be felt significantly in the neck. Malignant otitis externa occurs most commonly in people with diabetes and those with a compromised immune system. This is a potentially life-threatening condition, and the treatment usually requires a hospital admission and a long course of IV antibiotics.
References
- Children's Health Topics: Ear Infections
- Pediatric Review; Evaluation and management of lymphadenopathy in children; Adam Friedmann; February 2008
- Clinical Pediatrics; Clinical Strategies for the Management of Acute Mastoiditis in the Pediatric Population; Josef Shargorodsky; February 2010
- American Family Physician; Otitis externa: Review and clinical update; John Osguthorpe; November 2006
