Abstract
The eustachian tube has two types of clearance function, i. e. ciliary clearance and muscular clearance. The ciliary clearance is performed by the mucociliary transport system, while the muscular clearance is done by the tensor veli palatini muscle. Quantitative analysis of these two clearance function was made using five cats. The volume of the colored fluid (indigocarmine) to be discharged through the eustachian tube by mucociliary system or contractions of the tensor veli palatini muscle were measured. It was found that the muscular clearance can expel about six times as much fluid as the ciliary clearance does. The findings suggest that the muscular clearance is more effective than the ciliary clearance for the clearance of massive effusion.
