K. Takasaki et al., Histopathological changes of the eustachian tube cartilage and the tensor veli palatini muscle with aging, LARYNGOSCOP, 109(10), 1999, pp. 1679-1683
Objectives: The eustachian tube (ET) and the tensor veli palatini muscle (T
VPM) are thought to play an important role in ventilatory function. Calcifi
cation of the ET cartilage and the replacement of TVPM by fat tissue are of
ten observed histologically in elderly patients. To our knowledge, however,
there are no quantitative studies of these pathological findings in relati
on to age. Study Design: The calcification of the ET cartilage and the atro
phy of the TVPM in 36 normal human temporal bones obtained from 36 individu
als with ages ranging from 2 days to 88 years were investigated. Methods: T
he number of calcified chondrocytes in the midportion of the ET cartilage w
as 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 Dip 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 replaceme
nt by fat tissue, respectively. Results: A statistically significant correl
ation was found between the number of the calcified cells and aging (P < .0
01), A statistically significant correlation was also found between the deg
ree of the atrophy of TVPM and aging (P < .001), Conclusions: The calcifica
tion 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 pr
edisposing factor for ET dysfunction in elderly adults.