The muscular compliance of the auditory tube: a model-based survey.
OBJECTIVE
The role of the paratubal muscles, especially the medial pterygoid muscle, still is unclear. The aim of this study was to define the function of the medial pterygoid muscle concerning the muscular compliance of the auditory tube.


METHODS
High-resolution cross-sectional T1 magnetic resonance imaging data of one of the authors' paratubal structures were used, a new functional 3-D model of the auditory tube and its related structures visualized by the Hamburg VOXEL-MAN digital image system.


RESULTS
Functional 3-D reconstructions of the paratubal structures reveal that the medial pterygoid muscle is acting as a movable hypomochlion of the tensor veli palatini muscle. Contraction of the medial pterygoid muscle increases and relaxation decreases the force of the tensor veli palatini muscle on the distal part of the auditory tube. Hence, the opening pressure of the auditory tube is moderated by the action of the medial pterygoid muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
The influence of the medial pterygoid muscle on the opening pressure of the auditory tube may have an impact on the diagnosis and therapy in patients with patent auditory tube as well as the middle ear pathology in patients with cleft palate.
D003187:Compliance; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009055:Mouth / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D011626:Pterygoid Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology