New Aspects In The Pathogenesis Of Chronic Secretory Otitis Media

Abstract

On the basis of quantitative studies of the mucous elements in the Eustachian tube and middle ear mucosa of normal and abnormal temporal bones as well as of biopsies from secretory and adhesive otitis the secretory pathogenesis is described. Secretory otitis is divided into a stage of development, during which the mucous glands form, a stage of secretion, during which they produce mucus, and a stage of degeneration, during which they degenerate, become inactive, and mucus production decreases. The relationship between the ability of the mucosa to produce mucus and the ability of the Eustachian tube to transport the mucus to the rhinopharynx is the essential factor in the secretory pathogenesis.