Middle Ear Mucosa

TLDR

The middle ear lining is usually described as nonciliated flat or cuboidal epithelium lacking mucus‑secreting cells, yet some reports note occasional cilia from the eustachian tube and rapid clearance of particles via the tube. Several studies have identified cilia in the hypotympanum and tympanic cavity, ciliated epithelium near the auditory tube and tympanic membrane, and goblet cells adjacent to the tube, indicating that the middle ear may contain ciliated and mucus‑secreting elements.

Abstract

THE NORMAL lining of the middle ear is considered by most authorities as consisting of nonciliated, flat or cuboidal cells,^1-3and is thought to lack mucus-secreting elements.^4-13However, Polvogt⁴states that cilia pass at times from the eustachian tube into the tympanum. Kolmer and Mellendorff¹²saw cilia in the hypotympanum. Buch and Jorgensen¹³as well as Lawson¹⁴state that the tympanic cavity may be ciliated "in places." Maximov and Bloom¹⁵state "near the opening of the auditory tube and tympanic membrane, it is (the epithelium) cuboidal or columnar and provided with cilia. The existence of glands is generally denied. "Senturia¹⁶described cilia in the tympanic cavity of dogs as well as goblet cells near the tube. Since it is known that lipoidal^17,18and fluorescent¹⁹materials, licopodium seeds,²⁰starch, etc,²¹are cleared rapidly from the middle ear through the eustachian tube into the nasopharynx, the assumption that cilia are absent or