The Fine Surface View of the Middle Ear Mucosa in the Normal and Experimented Chinchilla

Abstract

The mucosal epithelia of the chinchilla middle ear in normal and experimented conditions were investigated by means of scanning electron microscope. In the normal middle ear cilia-bearing cells were frequently found around the tympanic orifice of the eustachian tube and the anterior parts of the tympanic bulla. Most of epithelial cells in the tympanic cavity were non-ciliated. In the middle ear mucosa after blocking the eustachian tube the density and the secretory activity of goblet cells were increased. There were a considerable number of small pores among epithelial cells, through which inflammatory cells and mucous fluid-like substances came out. A varying degree of metaplasia was noted in the middle ear epithelia of experimented animals.