Goblet Cell Population in the Normal Middle Ear and Eustachian Tube of Children and Adults

On 54 temporal bones from entirely normal prematures and newborn infants, children, and adults, 30,000 to 90,000 counts of goblet cells were done in different parts of the Eustachian tube and middle ear. In the Eustachian tube, normal prematures showed a very low density of goblet cells in all localities, increasing in the pharyngeal parts gradually through childhood and reaching in the normal adult a very high density in the pharyngeal orifice. There are no differences in density between the medial and lateral wall, but in some parts a decrease of density towards the tubal roof. In the middle ear the density is low in normal prematures, increasing slightly in infants, and decreasing again during the age range 7–14 years and in adults. Goblet cells are present in all middle-ear localities, but in markedly decreasing density in this sequence: hypotympanum anteriorly, posteriorly, promontory anteriorly, in the middle, epitympanum, niche of oval window, antrum, niche of round window, mastoid process, incus, and promontory posteriorly.

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Mucous Glands in the Middle Ear and Osseous Eustachian Tube

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/000348947308200117 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 82 (1) ◽

pp. 80-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

K. Bak-Pedersen ◽

M. Tos

Keyword(s):

Eustachian Tube ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Normal Component ◽

Great Majority ◽

Oval Window ◽

Mastoid Process ◽

Middle Ear Mucosa ◽

Clinically Normal ◽

The Individual ◽

Temporal Bones

The mucous membranes from the osseous Eustachian tube, tympanic cavity, epitympanum, antrum, and mastoid process on clinically normal middle ears from 45 temporal bones were stained by the PAS-alcian blue whole-mount method and systematically studied for the presence, number, and density of mucous glands. Only four patients did not exhibit glands. The total number of glands in the individual patients amounted to less than 60 in 85% of the cases. Only two patients showed high counts, 273 and 337 glands, respectively. The mean density was 0.53 gland per mm2. In most of the patients the glands were found in three to six different localities, the most common locality being the oval window. Glands were found in only ten osseous Eustachian tubes, in very small numbers. By far the great majority of glands were inactive and degenerated. In ten patients, however, there was a small number of active glands. The glands demonstrated are presumably the sequelae of previous pathological actions upon the middle ear and Eustachian tube, and the glands are probably not a normal component of the middle ear mucosa.

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Goblet Cell Population in the Pathological Middle Ear and Eustachian Tube of Children and Adults

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/000348947708600212 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 86 (2) ◽

pp. 209-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Mirko Tos ◽

K. Bak-Pedersen

Keyword(s):

Cell Density ◽

Eustachian Tube ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Goblet Cell ◽

Newborn Infants ◽

Goblet Cells ◽

Secretory Otitis Media ◽

Temporal Bones ◽

Different Parts ◽

Goblet Cell Density

On 64 temporal bones from slightly abnormal and pathological prematures and newborn infants, children, and adults, 35,000–40,000 counts of goblet cells were done in different parts of the Eustachian tube and middle ear. The goblet cells were present in all Eustachian tubes and middle ear areas. In ears previously exposed to infection the density was slightly increased in the tubal orifice and in most parts of the middle ear. In subacute and acute pathological actions, especially tubal occlusion, and in chronic diseases, such as active chronic otitis and in secretory otitis media, the goblet-cell density is appreciably increased.

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Distribution and Density of Goblet Cells in the Normal Adult Human Middle Ear

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/000348947308200225 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 82 (2) ◽

pp. 240-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

K. Bak-Pedersen ◽

M. Tos

Keyword(s):

Cell Density ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Goblet Cell ◽

Anterior Part ◽

Goblet Cells ◽

Mastoid Process ◽

Clinically Normal ◽

Normal Series ◽

Temporal Bones ◽

Goblet Cell Density

The purpose of this study was to map the distribution and density of goblet cells in the clinically normal middle ear. From 12 temporal bones, derived from 12 adult patients with clinically normal middle ears, the mucosa was prepared and stained by the PAS-alcian blue whole-mount method. In six of the patients the middle ears with meticulous gross and microscopic investigation showed mild sequelae of previous otitis media, called the slightly abnormal series, whereas the other six patients who had entirely normal middle ears were designated the normal series. Each middle ear was investigated in 12 different areas: tympanic orifice, hypotympanum anteriorly and posteriorly, round window niche, oval window niche, promontory anteriorly, in the middle, and posteriorly, epitympanum, antrum, and mastoid process. In each middle ear area the goblet-cell density and distribution were determined on the basis of 30 to 50 counts of 0.01768 mm2 epithelial surface, a total of at least 4800 counts. In six patients goblet cells were found in all 12 areas, in three patients in 11, and in three patients in 10. In both series there was a distinct decrease in goblet-cell density from the tympanic orifice, towards the posterior areas of the middle ear and the mastoid process. However, two patients of the slightly abnormal series exhibited a considerably greater density in the posterior than in the anterior part of the hypotympanum. The mean goblet-cell density in the slightly abnormal series was distinctly greater in all middle ear areas than in the normal series. Correspondingly, goblet cells were demonstrated in the antrum and mastoid process in all patients of the slightly abnormal series, but in only half of the normal series. Therefore, the greater goblet-cell density in the slightly abnormal series presumaby results from a previous past disease condition of the middle ear.

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Middle-ear endoscopy and trans-tympanic drug delivery using an interventional sialendoscope: feasibility study in human cadaveric temporal bones

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215110001155 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 124 (12) ◽

pp. 1263-1267 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

G Peters ◽

J Lin ◽

M A Arriaga ◽

D W Nuss ◽

B Schaitkin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Eustachian Tube ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Guide Wire ◽

Round Window ◽

Human Cadavers ◽

Incudostapedial Joint ◽

Round Window Niche ◽

Temporal Bones ◽

Inferior Quadrant

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using a 1.3 mm, semi-rigid, interventional salivary endoscope for middle-ear endoscopy, and as a trans-tympanic route for delivery of medication, in human cadaveric temporal bones.Study design:Human cadaveric study.Methods:Five temporal bones harvested from human cadavers were examined. A 1.3 mm, interventional sialendoscope was used to make endoscopy-assisted myringotomy incisions in the postero-inferior quadrant (n = 5) and the antero-inferior quadrant (n = 3).Results:Middle-ear examination was successful in all specimens (n = 5). Access to the round window niche and adequate visualisation of the round window were achieved in all five temporal bones (100 per cent). A guide wire could be navigated to the round window niche without difficulty. Other structures identified in all specimens included the incudostapedial joint, stapedius tendon, pyramidal eminence and facial nerve via an extended myringotomy incision. The anterior middle-ear space was also successfully examined through an endoscope-guided anterior myringotomy. The opening to the eustachian tube was visualised and cannulated with a guide wire in all preparations in which this was attempted (n = 3).Conclusions:The 1.3 mm, interventional sialendoscope allowed adequate visualisation of the eustachian tube, middle-ear space and round window niche, with interventional capabilities, in a cadaveric model. Our result validates the feasibility of its use for trans-tympanic drug delivery.

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Pathology of the eustachian tube in otitis media: an electron microscopic study

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215100124004 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 107 (7) ◽

pp. 651-655 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Samy Elwany

Keyword(s):

Mast Cells ◽

Eustachian Tube ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Inflammatory Process ◽

Morphological Changes ◽

Goblet Cells ◽

Ciliated Cells ◽

Electron Microscopic ◽

Temporal Bones ◽

The Relationship

The ultrastructure of the mucosa of the eustachian tube was studied in four temporal bones showing tympanosclerosis, cholesteatoma, otitic meningitis and a grafted tympanic membrane (tympanoplasty). The mucosa of tube was abnormal in the four cases confirming the relationship between the state of the eustachian tube and the inflammatory process in the middle ear. The observed abnormalities included: ciliary loss, abnormal ciliary morphology and motility, oedema of the microvilli, hyperplasia of the goblet cells and the seromucinous acini, desquamation of the non-ciliated cells and appearance of mast cells in the lamina propria of the tube. Ciliary changes were the most frequent abnormalities and the morphological changes, in general, were fewest in the case of healed tympanoplasty. The pathophysiology of the morphological changes was discussed and correlated with the disease in the middle ear.

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Middle-Ear Mucosa in Newborn Infants

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/000348947408300204 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 83 (2) ◽

pp. 168-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

K. Bak-Pedersen ◽

Mirko Tos

Keyword(s):

Mucous Membrane ◽

Eustachian Tube ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Anterior Part ◽

Normal Component ◽

Newborn Infants ◽

Goblet Cells ◽

Middle Ear Mucosa ◽

Whole Mount

To ascertain whether the mucous glands constitute a normal or abnormal component of the mucous membrane in the osseous Eustachian tube and middle ear, 28 prematures and newborn infants were studied. The entire mucous membrane from the Eustachian tube and middle ear was removed and stained by the PAS-alcian blue whole mount method. No mucous glands were found in the osseous tube or middle ear, although the conditions for their formation were present, there being goblet cells and stratified columnar epithelium in the osseous tube and anterior part of the middle ear. Thus, the mucous glands do not form a normal component of the middle ear mucosa, although they may be demonstrated in ears which are clinically quite normal. Minor and short lasting catarrhal affections of the tubal and middle ear mucosa — Which occur in everyone during childhood or later without leaving any other sequelae in the middle ear — may lead to the formation of a few glands. As long as only a few glands are present, the production of mucus is negligible and does not entail clinical symptoms. In chronic middle ear diseases the density of glands is relatively high, and the mucus or mucus-admixed discharge occurring in these diseases is an active product of the mucous glands and goblet cells.

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Mesenchyme Remaining in Human Temporal Bones

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/01945998860953p115 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 95 (3_part_1) ◽

pp. 349-357 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Tetsuo Takahara ◽

Isamu Sando ◽

Yoshie Hashida ◽

Yoshihiro Shibahara

Keyword(s):

Middle Ear ◽

Round Window ◽

Oval Window ◽

The Body ◽

First Year ◽

Sinus Tympani ◽

Hematoxylin And Eosin ◽

Round Window Niche ◽

Temporal Bones ◽

Middle Ear Cleft

This study was conducted in order to gain basic information about mesenchyme remaining in the middle ear cleft in normal infants. Because no previous report has objectively described the quantity or quality of such postnatal remnants in normal infants, it has not been possible to accurately evaluate the significance of mesenchyme remaining in the middle ears of infants with pathologic conditions, such as otitis media and congenital anomalies. Thus, 53 temporal bones obtained from 41 individuals reported upon here—from 26 weeks' gestation to 8 years of age—will be controls for future studies of pathologic conditions. The children from whom these temporal bones were obtained had no anomalies of the ear (or any other known part of the body); nor did they have any pathologic conditions in the ear. The temporal bones were prepared for histologic study with hematoxylin and eosin staining and were examined under the light microscope. After areas of the mesenchyme in the histologic sections were projected and illustrated for each of 19 portions in the middle ear cleft under the microprojector, those areas were measured by compensating polar planimetry. The findings obtained in this study were as follows: (1) The amount of mesenchyme remaining in the days after birth seemed to gradually decrease in volume with increased maturity and had nearly disappeared within the first year in normal infants. Where mesenchyme was noted in the temporal bones of infants over 1 year of age, it was usually present only in small niches. (2) Most mesenchyme found in temporal bones of normal infants was seen in the mastoid antrum; it was also found in the aditus ad antrum, the epitympanum, the hypotympanum, the sinus tympani, the round window niche, the oval window niche, and the mesotympanum.

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Cells Involved in the Middle Ear Defense System

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/00034894800890s332 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 89 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 121-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Marcos M. Goycoolea ◽

S. K. Juhn ◽

Michael M. Paparella ◽

Anna-Mary Carpenter

Keyword(s):

Eustachian Tube ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Plasma Cells ◽

Round Window ◽

Rational Approach ◽

Ground Substance ◽

Round Window Membrane ◽

Defense System ◽

Tube Obstruction ◽

Temporal Bones

Despite the high incidence and prevalence of otitis media, its pathogenesis is not thoroughly understood. In the last decade, many efforts have been made to provide a better understanding, and abundant information has become available. At the same time the field of immunology has advanced at an extremely rapid pace. We have followed the gradual cellular events in the defense reaction of the middle ear, utilizing eustachian tube obstruction to induce otitis. Seventy-five cats were divided in groups and sacrificed at intervals between one day and six months, and their temporal bones were studied. During an initial phase of inflammation, polymorphonuclears appear at three days in connective tissue; at the same time active fibroblasts synthesize tropocollagen and ground substance while epithelial cells secrete mucus and lysozymes. These cells, together with those involved in the mucociliary transport system and a patent functional eustachian tube, constitute the nonspecific system of defense. The transition cells are the macrophages which appear at one week to interact with T and B cells to produce the specific immune response. Plasma cells appear at two weeks to peak at one month with synthesis of immunoglobulins A, G and M. A secretory immune system is observed. At three and six months, lymphocytes are the predominant cells and occasional accumulations of mononuclears are observed. The reaction involves the entire middle ear, including mucoperiosteum, middle ear muscles and round window membrane. We believe that a better understanding of the middle ear defense system will lead in time to a practical clinical assessment of the immunological status during the evolution of each particular process or disease involving the middle ear, and a more rational approach to the treatment and, hopefully, prevention of chronic ear disease.

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Comparative study of efficiency and characteristics of FMT and DRT installed in human cadavers for round-window stimulation

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95456-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dong Ho Shin ◽

Jong Hoon Kim ◽

Peter Gottlieb ◽

Yona Vaisbuch ◽

Sunil Puria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle Ear ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Round Window ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Acoustic Hearing ◽

Middle Ear Implants ◽

Human Cadavers ◽

Limited Frequency ◽

Output Characteristics ◽

Temporal Bones

AbstractAcoustic hearing aids generate amplified sound in the ear canal, and they are the standard of care for patients with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss. However, because of their limited frequency bandwidth, gain, and feedback, there is substantial room for improvement. Active middle ear implants, which directly vibrate the middle ear and cochlea, are an alternative approach to conventional acoustic hearing aids. They provide an opportunity to improve sound quality and speech understanding with amplification rehabilitation. For floating-mass type and direct-rod type (DRT) middle ear transducers, a differential floating-mass transducer (DFMT) and a tri-coil bellows transducer (TCBT), respectively, were fabricated to measure the output characteristics in four human temporal bones. Both were fabricated to have similar output forces per unit input and were placed in four human temporal bones to measure their output performances. The TCBT resulted in higher output than did the DFMT throughout the audible frequency range, and the output was more prominent at lower frequency ranges. In this study, we showed that DRT was a more effective method for round window stimulation. Because of its frequency characteristics and vibration efficiency, this implantation method can be utilized as a driving solution for middle ear implants.

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