The Connective Tissue in Normal and Otosclerotic Bone

Abstract

Normal and otosclerotic human stapes was studied by light and electron microscopy with a view to disclosing generalized histologic changes in the stapes outside the otosclerotic focus that might lend support to the theory that otosclerosis is a generalized connective-tissue disorder. By means of various connective-tissue stains 43 stapedes, of which 31 presented an otosclerotic focus, were studied by light microscope; eight stapedes, thereof four with otosclerosis, were examined by electron microscope. The structure of periosteum and bony tissue was found to be normal, and there were no significant differences in normal and otosclerotic stapes. Preotosclerotic changes were not disclosed in any preparation. The study provided no evidence of otosclerosis being a generalized connective-tissue disorder.