Fluid Leaking from Mr. Hancock's Ear: Causes and Symptoms

Which of the following choices best describes the fluid leaking from Mr. Hancock's ear and the cause of that leakage?

The fluid leaking from Mr. Hancock's ear and the cause of that leakage is: Blood and cerebrospinal fluid are leaking because the petrous part of the temporal bone is fractured.

What happens when temporal bone is fractured?

Temporal bone fracture is suggested by bleeding from the external auditory canal. Fracture can sometimes involve the ossicles, inner ear, and facial nerve, then symptoms such as hearing loss, vertigo, balance disturbance, or facial paralysis may be present.

The petrous part is located between the sphenoid bone and occipital bone, and its function is to protect the structures of the middle and inner ear.