Plain English Meaning
A small pocket of air just behind your eardrum. A narrow tube connects it to the back of your throat so the pressure inside can match the air pressure around you.
Full Definition
The air-filled cavity of the ear located between the eardrum and the inner ear, containing three small bones that transmit sound vibrations. It connects to the back of the throat through the eustachian tube, which allows the air pressure inside the cavity to equalize with the surrounding atmospheric pressure.
Context Anchor
Seen in aeromedical discussions about ear pain, pressure changes, colds, sinus problems, climbs, and descents.
Derivation
Middle comes from Old English words meaning “central” or “between.” Ear is the hearing organ. The term helps because the middle ear is literally the part between the outer ear opening and the deeper inner ear.