Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Science
  4. / Biology
  5. / Human Biology
  6. / Human Anatomy

by Merry Walker on October 9th, 2004

Merry Walker

Question

Help answer this question below.

What is ear "wax," really? And how does it get in my ear?

Share:
Other

Answers. 2 helpful answers below.

  • by Merry Walker on October 24th, 2004

    Merry Walker

    After thinking about Paige Honor's answer, I decided to do some research on my own. Here's what I found:

    "The skin cells lining our outer ear canals include tiny glands, similar to sweat glands, which produce wax. The point seems to be that this acts as a protective layer, which traps dust and other particles which get into the ear. The wax slowly works its way to the outside, taking the trapped dirt and dust with it."

    Another site at least mentions the dead skin:

    "Ear wax is a normal product of the ear which protects the skin of the ear from water and infection. Ear wax is formed from wax glands in the external ear canal as well as other components such as dead skin, sweat, and oil. The primary component of ear wax is keratin (derived from dead skin). Ear wax thus differs slightly from cerumen which is the secretory product of the ceruminous glands in the external auditory canal."

    So while the primary ingredient may be from dead skin, that wasn't exactly the answer I was looking for when I posted the question.

    Source 1:
    http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/earwax.html

    Source 2:
    http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/hearing/wax2.html

    Search strategy: Google, "ear wax"

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by Paige Honor on October 10th, 2004

    Paige Honor

    It is dead skin cells from the inside of your ear.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading What is ear "wax," really? And how does it get in my ear?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Is ear wax really wax
How does your ear produce wax
Dead skin in ear
How does your ear produce wax
Why does my ear have dead skin in it

Answerbag

a Demand Media company