UPT Aerospace Physiology Practice Test

Trapped gas disorders are primarily associated with gas expansion and contraction in closed spaces within the body during changes in pressure, such as when ascending or descending in an aircraft. The ears, particularly the middle ear, are highly susceptible to such changes due to their enclosed structure.

The Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the throat, play a crucial role in equalizing pressure. If these tubes become blocked or fail to function properly, pressure differences can lead to discomfort, pain, and potentially other issues such as barotrauma. This condition can occur during rapid altitude changes, where gas in the middle ear cannot equalize with the external atmospheric pressure, leading to trapped gas.

While the brain, heart, and lungs can be affected by pressure changes and other gas-related issues, they are typically not referred to as trapped gas disorders in the same context as the ears. For instance, pulmonary barotrauma concerns the lungs, but it involves the risk of lung overexpansion rather than trapped gas in a closed cavity. In summary, the ears are the most likely area to be directly impacted by trapped gas disorders due to their anatomical features and reliance on proper pressure balance.