Otalgia is ear pain or an earache. Primary otalgia is from pain that originates inside the ear. Referred otalgia is from pain that originates from outside the ear.
Typical sources of primary otalgia are external otitis, otitis media, mastoiditis , and auricular infections. Dental disorders are the most common cause of referred otalgia. These include temporomandibular joint disorders, bruxism, and abscessed teeth. Tonsillitis and pharyngitis are also common causes of earaches in children
References
"Otalgia". eMedicine. Retrieved Apr. 21, 2005.
