In chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma, which structure is mainly affected?

In chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma, the structure that is primarily affected is the pars tensa. This is the more rigid part of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and is the area where inflammation and infection often lead to perforation and resultant otorrhea, or drainage from the ear.

Chronic suppurative otitis media is characterized by persistent infection of the middle ear, which leads to the accumulation of pus and can result in damage to the structures within the ear. The pars tensa, being the stronger part of the tympanic membrane, is often where these infections manifest, leading to perforations that expose the underlying middle ear to further infection.

Other structures mentioned, such as the pars flaccida, stapes, and Eustachian tube, can be involved in different contexts or types of ear pathologies but are not the primary sites affected in this condition. The pars flaccida can be related to cholesteatoma, which is not relevant in this case, and the stapes, while an important component of the middle ear, is usually spared in uncomplicated chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma. The Eustachian tube is critical for equal