Electron Microscopic Observations of the Middle Ear in Pigs

Regeneration of the Epithelial Cells in Inflamed Ears

Abstract

Otitis media was effected in the right ears of 8 pigs and the left ears remained normal. Two of pigs were sacrificed at 2 days, I week, 2 weeks and I month after injection of glycerin. The samples for electron microscopy were obtained from the Eustachian tube, the middle ear cleft and the air cell system.
In the inflamed Eustachian tube and middle ear cleft, the epithelial cells were detached, the intracellular junction ruptured in several places and the cilia missing or deformed. But these features coexisted with features indicating increase the number of the secretory cell. The injured epithelial cells in the Eustachian tube regenerated in a shorter time than those in the middle ear cleft.