Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92134-5000, USA.
Although the external auditory canal is relatively simple compared with other portions of the ear, the anatomy and physiology of the EAC are well adapted to permit efficient function under environmental extremes. This article contains a discussion of the embryology, anatomy, and physiology of the EAC. The most common disease of the EAC, cerumen impaction, is also considered. A thorough understanding of the normal EAC is essential for a study of its pathophysiology.