abstract: The aim of the present article is to describe the mechanical components of the auditory tube and the role of these components in auditory tube function. Particular attention will be given to those aspects which have not been sufficiently dealt with in the past, such as the role of the isthmus region, the function of the lateral mucosal folds, the significance of the surfactant proteins and the pathophysiology of the patulous auditory tube. Special attention is given to the tensor veli palatini muscle and its physiology. Because of its isometric contraction, the function of this muscle depends on so-called hypomochlia changing the direction of its force. In the context of this article, the three hypomochlia involved are the pterygoid hamulus, Ostmann's fatty tissue and the medial pterygoid muscle.The so-called "Eppendorf-maneuver" is depicted for the first time.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, . leuwer@uke.uni-hamburg.de.|Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg. leuwer@uke.uni-hamburg.de.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leuwer
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Informatik, Private Universität für Medizinische Informatik und Technik Tirol, Innsbruck.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wenzel
authors.affiliation: Radiologische Klinik, Abteilung für Neuroradiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kucinski
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maier
keywords: Auditory tube; Eppendorf maneuver; Hypomochlion; Medial pterygoid muscle; Patulous auditory tube; Tensor veli palatini muscle