ABSTRACT
Short-term results or post-operative check-ups after tympanoplasties in children and adults are compared. There is no higher incidence of recurrent perforations in children. The distribution of air cells in adults and children does not vary, indicating that anatomic variations, rather than disease, are responsible for the sclerosis in the mastoid. Anatomic variations of the epipharynx might influence ventilation. Correlations between the width of the epipharynx and the distance between molars and premolars are shown, as is an inverse relation between the height of the palate and the height of the septum. These observations might be important for a prognosis in patients with ear disease.
Subject(s)
Cholesteatoma/surgery , Ear Diseases/surgery , Nasopharynx/anatomy & histology , Tympanoplasty , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Humans , Otitis Media/surgeryABSTRACT
The results of measurements of the impressions of palate and nasopharynx are compared. While choanes, anterior and medial nasopharynx grow in relation to age, the posterior width correlates with measurements of the maxilla, especially with the distance of molars and premolars. This means that in persons with wide maxillary dimensions, a wide nasopharynx can be expected. This fact may influence the indication for tubal therapy and otosurgery, since a narrow nasopharynx implies poor conditions for the aeration of the Eustachian tube.
Subject(s)
Eustachian Tube/pathology , Maxilla/pathology , Nasopharynx/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Middle Aged , Otitis Media with Effusion/surgery , Palate/pathology , Tympanoplasty/methodsABSTRACT
The nasopharynges of 80 adults and children were examined by a specific technique. An impression was taken for a precision plaster model to allow measurement and analysis. In this manner it was possible for the first time to describe spatial relationship and growth of the nasopharynx. The vertical height increases steadily up to the age of 9 years when addition of the adenoids seems to interrupt the growth of the nasopharynx. From then on, the height continues to increase until old age. This increase in mature patients can be attributed to alterations resulting from loss of teeth or maxillary deformation caused by atrophia senilis. The depth shows wide variations, growth was observed with increasing age. The width, i.e., the distance between the eustachian tubes, does not increase. This is due to enlargement of the tubes and increase of the prominentia tubae. The cross-sectional area of the choanae available for air flow increases steadily up to 380 mm2. The volume of the nasopharynx increased in our sample from 2.4 to 6.8 mm3 which represents a factor of 2.8 over the initial size.
Subject(s)
Nasopharynx/growth & development , Adenoids/anatomy & histology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Middle Aged , Nasopharynx/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
17 patients with alterations of the mandibular joint complained of pain of the external auditory canal, the tragal region and the side of the face. In women between 25 and 35 an unphysiologic stress of the joint, in patients over 45 insufficient or missing prosthetics were identified as cause. Other symptoms such as inner ear deafness, vertigo and globus hystericus were not seen.
Subject(s)
Ear Diseases/etiology , Pain , Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome/complications , Adult , Age Factors , DMF Index , Female , Humans , Joint Dislocations/complications , Male , Malocclusion/complications , Middle Aged , Temporomandibular Joint/injuriesABSTRACT
The endolymphatic sac and duct were studied in 25 embryonic ears of humans between the 10th and 25th week of development. In the early stage the anlage develops as a protrusion medio-caudally from the utricle. During further development vacuoles appear within the connective tissue surrounding the duct and sac which eventually unite with the endolymphatic system enlarging the endolymphatic space as an answer of the connective tissue to the expansion and proliferation of the endothelium. In older specimens (fronto-occipital diameter: 40 mm) we find a tongue-like projection of the wall of the duct into the utricle known as the endolymphatic valve. This structure is covered with a thickened folded epithelium. It is stabilized by fibrous, cartilaginous, and bony tissue. Under normal conditions it therefore seems improbable that it can serve as a valve as supposed by other authors. The proliferation of endothelium and a concentration of blood vessels in this might indicate a higher metabolic activity with a biochemical filtering mechanism.
