Age-Related Morphologic Differences in the Components of the Eustachian Tube/Middle Ear System

1989 ◽  
Vol 98 (11) ◽  
pp. 854-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Sadler-Kimes ◽  
Michael I. Siegel ◽  
John S. Todhunter

The current study utilized a three-dimensional computer graphics technique to analyze the size, shape, and positional associations of the eustachian tube (ET) cartilage and lumen, the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle, and the tensor veli palatini (TVP) muscle. Older specimens 7 years and above (n = 13) were compared to young specimens less than 7 years (n = 4). Our results suggest that changes in ET function associated with age could result from size and shape differences in the ET cartilage and changes in the position of the LVP and TVP muscles.

1997 ◽  
Vol 106 (7) ◽  
pp. 583-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaharu Sudo ◽  
Isamu Sando ◽  
Akihiro Ikui ◽  
Chiaki Suzuki

Nine normal human temporal bones from persons 16 to 88 years old were studied by computer aided three-dimensional reconstruction and measurement. The length of the eustachian tube (ET) lumen in three portions (from pharyngeal orifice to tympanic orifice: cartilaginous, junctional, and bony) averaged 23.6 ±4.3 mm, 3.0 ± 1.9 mm, and 6.4 ± 2.6 mm. The narrowest portion of the ET lumen was in the cartilaginous portion in all cases: 20.5 ± 4.2 mm from the pharyngeal orifice and 3.1 ± 1.6 mm from the pharyngeal margin of the junctional portion. The cross-sectional area of the narrowest portion was 0.65 ± 0.2 mm2. The tendon of the tensor veli palatini muscle (TVPM) inserted into the lateral lamina in the narrowest portion of the ET lumen in five of nine cases. These results suggest that contraction of the TVPM opens the narrowest portion of the ET lumen to ventilate the middle ear and that this portion also plays a role in protecting the middle ear.


1987 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunori Mori ◽  
Yasushi Naito ◽  
Yoshinobu Hirono ◽  
Iwao Honjo

1995 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. P58-P58
Author(s):  
Isamu Sando

Educational objectives: To understand three-dimensional anatomy and function of the eustachian tube and consequently the pathology and dysfunction of the eustachian tube that are closely associated with those of the middle ear, such as otitis media with effusion, the second most common disease among children, next to the common cold.


2002 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 530-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Ishijima ◽  
Isamu Sando ◽  
Makoto Miura ◽  
Carey D. Balaban ◽  
Kenji Takasaki

The anatomic relationships among the levator veli palatini muscle (LVPM), the tensor veli palatini muscle (TVPM), and the eustachian tube (ET) cartilage were investigated by computer-aided 3-dimensional reconstruction and measurement methods. The study used 13 normal temporal bone–ET specimens obtained from 13 individuals (range of age at death, 3 months to 88 years). This study revealed several anatomic features of the anterior cartilaginous portion of the ET First, the LVPM is always located inferolateral to the inferior margin of the medial lamina (ML) of the ET cartilage. Second, the LVPM has a large cross-sectional area throughout the extent of the anterior cartilaginous portion of the ET. Third, although the LVPM lies close to the ML of the ET cartilage (0.44 ± 0.16 mm in children and 1.02 ± 0.58 mm in adults), there is no region of attachment. Finally, the TVPM is not attached to the lateral lamina (LL) of the ET cartilage of the anterior quarter of the cartilaginous portion. Accordingly, it could be assumed that the most anterior cartilaginous portion of the ET is opened primarily by the contraction of the LVPM, which causes a superior-medial rotation of the ML. Furthermore, since the contraction time of the LVPM is reported to be longer than that of the TVPM, the anterior cartilaginous portions of the ET may remain open, even after the middle to posterior cartilaginous portions are closed after relaxation of the TVPM. This process would produce a pumping action of the ET in the direction from the middle ear to the pharyngeal side. The pumping function may be beneficial to clearance of the middle ear.


Author(s):  
Lee D. Peachey ◽  
Lou Fodor ◽  
John C. Haselgrove ◽  
Stanley M. Dunn ◽  
Junqing Huang

Stereo pairs of electron microscope images provide valuable visual impressions of the three-dimensional nature of specimens, including biological objects. Beyond this one seeks quantitatively accurate models and measurements of the three dimensional positions and sizes of structures in the specimen. In our laboratory, we have sought to combine high resolution video cameras with high performance computer graphics systems to improve both the ease of building 3D reconstructions and the accuracy of 3D measurements, by using multiple tilt images of the same specimen tilted over a wider range of angles than can be viewed stereoscopically. Ultimately we also wish to automate the reconstruction and measurement process, and have initiated work in that direction.Figure 1 is a stereo pair of 400 kV images from a 1 micrometer thick transverse section of frog skeletal muscle stained with the Golgi stain. This stain selectively increases the density of the transverse tubular network in these muscle cells, and it is this network that we reconstruct in this example.


2019 ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
Owen J. O’Neill ◽  
Elizabeth Smykowski ◽  
Jo Ann Marker ◽  
Lubiha Perez ◽  
drah Gurash ◽  
...  

Introduction: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) and middle ear barotrauma (MEB) are the most common adverse effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatments. Patients practice equalization maneuvers to prevent ETD and MEB prior to hyperbaric exposure. Some patients are still unable to equalize middle ear pressure. This ETD results in undesirable consequences, including barotrauma, treatment with medications or surgical myringotomy with tube placement and interruption of HBO2. When additional medications and myringotomy are employed, they are associated with additional complications. Methods: A device known as the Ear Popper® has been reported to reduce complications from serous otitis media and reduce the need for surgical interventions (myringotomy). Patients unable to equalize middle ear pressure during initial compression in the hyperbaric chamber were allowed to use the device for rescue. All hyperbaric treatments were compressed using a United States Navy TT9, or a 45-fsw hyperbaric treatment schedule. Patients with persistent ETD and the inability to equalize middle ear pressure were given the Ear Popper upon consideration of terminating their treatment. Results: The Ear Popper allowed all patients to successfully equalize middle ear pressure and complete their treatments. Conclusion: This study substantiates the use of this device to assist in allowing pressurization of the middle ear space in patients otherwise unable to achieve equalization of middle ear pressure during HBO2 treatment in a multiplace chamber.


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