title: Evaluation of Eustachian tube function by contrast roentgenography.
abstract: Contrast roentgenography and cineroentgenography were carried out on nine patients with perforated eardrums to reveal the opening process of the Eustachian tube and its pumping-like clearance function in human beings. The results were as follows: (1) the tubal lumen opens along the cartilaginous part of the tube owing to the outward displacement of its lateral wall; (2) the pumping function of the tube consists in two phases: accumulation of the fluid in the tube by tensor contraction and discharge of the fluid by tensor relaxation.
mesh_terms: D002933:Cineradiography; D003679:Deglutition; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000293:injuries