Ostmann fat pad

Last revised by Roland Zac White on 22 Sep 2022

The Ostmann fat pads (also known as Ostmann fatty bodies) are located inferolateral to the cartilaginous Eustachian tubes and are thought to be important in normal closure of eustachian tube, preventing transmission of nasopharyngeal pressure to the middle ear 5. Failure to visualize this thin triangular fat pad on MRI is a feature of patulous tube syndrome.

History and etymology

Named after (Friedrich Wilhelm) Paul Ostmann, German otologist (1859-1945) 4 who described his eponymous fat pads in 1893 3.

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.