Histochemical Characteristics of Normal Middle Ear Mucosa

Abstract

Histochemical studies on the distribution of various oxidative and dephosphorylating groups of enzymes have been made in the normal mucous lining of the middle ear in the guinea pig, cat, squirrel monkey and man. In general ciliated cells showed more strongly positive activity than other epithelial cells lining the middle ear cavity for various oxidative enzymes and hydrolytic enzymes except alkaline phosphatase in these animal species. Marked alkaline phosphatase activity was detectable on the cilia of the cat, whereas no enzyme activity was found on the cilia of other species. The significance of histochemical findings in the middle ear mucosa of several animals was discussed in light of physiological and pathological considerations.