Which condition is associated with the presence of fluid in the middle ear?

The presence of fluid in the middle ear is most commonly associated with a bulging tympanic membrane. When fluid accumulates in the middle ear space, it creates pressure that causes the tympanic membrane to bulge outward. This physical change is often seen in conditions such as otitis media, where infection or inflammation is present. The bulging represents a response to the fluid build-up, making it a significant clinical finding in diagnosing ear infections or similar conditions.

In contrast, clear rhinorrhea typically indicates nasal congestion or allergies and is not directly related to the middle ear, while septal deviation refers to an anatomical structural issue of the nose, and mastoid tenderness usually indicates a problem in the mastoid process of the skull near the ear, rather than fluid accumulation in the middle ear itself. Thus, the bulging tympanic membrane serves as a clear clinical indicator of middle ear fluid.