A histological study was made of the middle ear joints in association with several middle ear disorders, including congenital anomalies, acute and chronic otitis media, congenital syphilis, otosclerosis, Paget's disease, and primary and secondary neoplasms. Although the numbers of cases are small, the data suggest that the degenerative changes in the joints are more severe and in higher incidence than expected as a function of aging. Whereas advanced changes may be present, including fusion of the articular surfaces, it seems improbable that the joint changes contribute to the conductive hearing losses existing in these ears.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
EtholmBBelalA: Senile changes in the middle ear joints. Ann Otol83: 49–54, 1974
2.
ElpernBSGreisenOAndersonHC: Experimental studies on sound transmission in the human ear. Acta Oto-laryng60: 223–230, 1965
3.
AltmannF: Congenital atresia of the ear in man and animals. Ann Otol64: 824–858, 1955
4.
SchuknechtHF: Pathology of the Ear. Boston, Harvard Press, in press, 1974
5.
RubenRJToriyamaMDischeMR: External and middle ear malformations associated with mandibulo-facial dystosis and renal abnormalities: A case report. Ann Otol78: 605–624, 1969
