Histopathological characteristics of 20 ear herodion polyps with a certain localisation and a well-known underlying pathological process were studied in order to elucidate the pathogenesis of ear mucosal polyp formation. Only 12 of the polyps were covered with epithelium; either a squamous keratinized epithelium or a cylindrical epithelium. Three polyps were covered with cylindrical and squamous keratinized epithelium. Incipient gland formation was seen and glands were only found in 35% of the polyps. It seems possible that the polyp is a local newly formed process and may have the aim of catching, eliminating and digesting bacteria and dead cells.