Impact of Jacobson's (tympanic) nerve sectioning on middle ear functions.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of sectioning of the Jacobson's (tympanic) nerve on middle ear functions.


METHODS
Twenty-five adult New Zealand rabbits were included in this study. The Jacobson's nerve was cut in the left ear of the rabbits (study group), whereas only a small mucosal incision was performed while keeping the Jacobson's nerve intact in their right ear (control group). After the operation, the ears were assessed both otomicroscopically and histopathologically on Days 30, 60, and 90.


RESULTS
On otomicroscopy, retraction pockets were observed in 48 and 4% of the ears in the study and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Middle ear effusion was observed in 56 and 12%, respectively (p < 0.01). Histopathologically, an inflammation in the middle ear mucosa was present in all ears in the study group, whereas it was present only in 20% of the control ears (p < 0.001). Goblet cells were observed in 48 and 20% in the study and control groups, respectively (p < 0.04). In the study group, the otomicroscopic and histopathologic findings were more prominent on Day 60 compared to Day 90 (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Tympanic glomus cells seem to act as middle ear chemosensory organs and are involved in the regulation of middle ear aeration. Disruption of these neural elements such as Jacobson's nerve negatively impacts on middle ear functions and may result in atelectasis.
Ceylan
Alper
A
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. aceylan@gazi.edu.tr
Göksu
Nebil
N
Kemaloğlu
Yusuf Kemal
YK
Uğur
Birol
B
Akyürek
Nalan
N
Bayazit
Yildirim A
YA
D000818:Animals; D002814:Chorda Tympani Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D043485:Glomus Tympanicum / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011312:Pressure; D011817:Rabbits