Controversy about the eustachian tube function.
The author suggests that the classic view on the function of the Eustachian tube remains controversial and should be reviewed: the gas exchange by vascular diffusion is apparently located in the antromastoid cavity where an overpressure occurs. This overpressure is equalized downwards to match the ambiant pressure, by the synergic activity of the tensor tympani and the fibro-cartilaginous Eustachian Tube.
Marquet
J
J
University of Antwerp, E.N.T. Department, Berchem/Antwerp.
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000502:physiology; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D010141:Pacinian Corpuscles / Q000502:physiology; D013719:Tensor Tympani / Q000502:physiology
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen