Referred otalgia can be due to
Carcinoma larynx
Carcinoma oral cavity
Carcinoma tongue
All of the above
Causes of referred otalgia Ear receives nerve supply from Vth (auriculotemporal), 1Xth (tympanic br.) and Xth (auricular br.) cranial nerves; and from C2 (lesser occipital) and C2 and C3 (greater auricular), pain may be referred from these remote areas 1. Via Vth cranial nerve Dental; Caries tooth, apical abscess, impacted molar, malocclusion. Oral cavity; Benign or malignant ulcerative lesions of oral cavity or tongue. Temporomandibular joint disorders; Bruxism, osteoahritis, recurrent dislocation, ill-fitting denture. Sphenopalatine neuralgia. 2. Via IXth cranial nerve Oropharynx; Acute tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, tonsillectomy. Benign or malignant ulcers of soft palate, tonsil and its pillars. Base of tongue; Tuberculosis or malignancy. Elongated styloid process. 3. Via Xth cranial nerve. Malignancy or ulcerative lesion of: vallecula, epiglottis, larynx or laryngopharynx, esophagus. 4. Via C2 and C3 spinal nerves. Cervical spondylitis, injuries of cervical spine, caries spine.