Morpho-functional partition of the middle ear cleft.
The observation of an inter-attico-tympanic diaphragm in the middle ear (ME) cleft and the functional histology of the mucosa lead to a concept of ME morpho-functional partition. There are two separate compartments: an antero-inferior one, principally devoted to the muco-ciliary clearance function, and a postero-superior one, more devoted to the gas exchange function. With this concept of partition the mechanisms involved in the pathogeny of "otitis media" can be better understood.
Ars
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Dept. ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp, UZA, Belgium.
Ars-Piret
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D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance