Ciliary activity and middle ear clearance.

TLDR

Previous work described the middle ear lining as a mucosa with cilia secreting mucus that likely forms a functional mucus blanket, and these studies were part of evaluating patients with large eardrum perforations. The study aims to qualitatively assess the function of ciliary pathways in the human middle ear in vivo. Using histochemical staining and phase microscopy, the authors visualized mucus and cilia, and photographed foreign material movement over the mucus blanket to evaluate ciliary activity. The observations aided in determining middle ear clearance during preparation for myringoplasty or tympanoplasty.

Abstract

IN A PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION 1,2 we described the microscopic structure of the middle ear lining. It was pointed out that the anterior half or two thirds of the middle ear lining is a true mucosa-bearing cilia and secreting mucus, which in all probability forms a functional mucus blanket (Fig 1). The secreted mucus and secreting glands were demonstrated histochemically; the cilia were best seen with phase microscopy. It is our purpose now to report qualitative studies on the function of the ciliary pathways in the human middle ear in vivo. This was done by observing and photographing the movement of foreign materials over the mucus blanket in the middle ear. These studies were part of the workup of patients suffering from large perforations in their ear drums. The ears were prepared for myringoplasty or tympanoplasty, and the studies helped in determining middle ear clearance. Method and Material The procedure consisted