title: [Dimorphism of cerumen, facts and theory].
abstract: ¿Dimorphism¿ means the existence of two phenotypic different types of the human cerumen and morphology of the cerumen glands. In this paper, the morphological, biochemical, and functional differences are reviewed. The wet cerumen is better adapted to a hot and humid climate where infections of the outer ear are very frequent and sometimes severe. In a cold and dry climate, the dry cerumen is advantageous. In the moderate climates, both types are equivalent (balanced dimorphism).
authors.affiliation: Forschungslaboratorien der Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenklinik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meyer zum Gottesberge
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meyer zum Gottesberge
mesh_terms: D002571:Cerumen / Q000502:physiology*; D002980:Climate; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010641:Phenotype
vernacular_title: Der Dimorphismus des Cerumens, Fakten und Theorie.