If young cats can avoid injury or infectious disease (the
chances of which are much greater if they are indoor-only), they
usually only see the veterinarian for preventive care. One
condition that bucks this trend is called the nasopharyngeal
polyp. Polyps are benign masses of tissue that can form in many
places throughout the body. In this case, the descriptor
"nasopharyngeal" is a bit confusing because these masses
generally do not originate in the nasopharynx (the area within
the throat that lies behind the nasal cavities and above the
soft palate*) but from the tubes connecting the middle ear to
the nasopharynx (Eustachian or auditory tubes) or from within
the tympanic bulla, a part of the middle ear. That said, when
they grow large enough, nasopharyngeal polyps can extend into
the nasopharynx or even into the external ear canal. Though
technically benign (not having the tendency to spread or worsen
appreciably*), nasopharyngeal polyps can cause big problems for
cats. They are usually diagnosed in animals