Histopathological changes of the eustachian tube cartilage and the tensor veli palatini muscle with aging.
OBJECTIVE
The eustachian tube (ET) and the tensor veli palatini muscle (TVPM) are thought to play an important role in ventilatory function. Calcification of the ET cartilage and the replacement of TVPM by fat tissue are often observed histologically in elderly patients. To our knowledge, however, there are no quantitative studies of these pathological findings in relation to age.


METHODS
The calcification of the ET cartilage and the atrophy of the TVPM in 36 normal human temporal bones obtained from 36 individuals with ages ranging from 2 days to 88 years were investigated.


METHODS
The number of calcified chondrocytes in the midportion of the ET cartilage was quantified as the average number of cells per square millimeter. Atrophy of the TVPM was evaluated at the midportion of the site where the TVPM is attached to the tip of lateral lamina of ET cartilage. A grade of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 was assessed for each section, which indicated approximately 0% to 5%, 5% to 30%, 30% to 70%, 70% to 95%, or 95% to 100% of the TVPM replacement by fat tissue, respectively.


RESULTS
A statistically significant correlation was found between the number of the calcified cells and aging (P < .001). A statistically significant correlation was also found between the degree of the atrophy of TVPM and aging (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The calcification of the ET cartilage and the atrophy of the TVPM are closely associated with aging. Therefore, it is suggested that these two findings may be a predisposing factor for ET dysfunction in elderly adults.
Takasaki
K
K
Elizabeth McCullough Knowles Otopathology Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA.
Sando
I
I
Balaban
C D
CD
Haginomori
S
S
Ishijima
K
K
Kitagawa
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000473:pathology*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000473:pathology*; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology*