The Effect of Chronic Middle Ear Inflammation on the Pneumatization of the Tympanic Bulls in Pigs

Abstract

The effect of chronic middle ear inflammation on the pneumatization of the tympanic bulls was investigated in piglets. The pig tympanic bulls has an air cell system which is divided by trabeculae and closely resembles the human mastoid air cell system. The tympanic bulls and its air cell system in normal ears were well developed because of the bone formation and the bone resorption inside the cortex, whereas the tympanic bulls affected by chronic otitis media in the early stages of life exhibited retardation of pneumatization arising from the disturbed bone resorption by inflammatory stimulus. It was concluded that affliction with chronic middle ear inflammation in the early stages of life causes inhibition of pneumatization by hindering the development of the air cell system.

Key Words:

• mastoid pneumatization