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Normal growth pattern of the middle ear cleft in the human fetus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

F. Declau ,
L. Moeneclaey  and
J. Marquet
F. Declau*
Affiliation:
(Antwerp, Belgium)
L. Moeneclaey
Affiliation:
(Antwerp, Belgium)
J. Marquet
Affiliation:
(Antwerp, Belgium)
*
F. Declau, Hoogbunderlaan 12, B-2550 Kontich, Belgium.
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Abstract

The normal growth pattern of the middle ear cleft was studied on macro- and histological sections of the human fetus.

When compared with adult temporal bones, the inclination of the tympanic ring remains unaltered throughout fetal development.

Expansion of the middle ear cleft is caused by intrinsic growth and by lateral displacement of its constituent elements: tympanic ring, otic capsule and squamous bone. Not only are the two mutually different modes of growth movement quite dissimilar in magnitude and direction, but so is their resultant vector for each constituent; this dissimilarity in growth movement leads to a characteristic change in shape of the middle ear cleft and to the curvature of the tympanic membrane. The intrinsic growth of these elements is simultaneously accompanied by remodelling of their shape; lateral displacement of the squamous bone and tympanic ring is caused by the pressure of the enlarging brain. The consequences of developmental disturbances on the normal growth pattern are discussed.

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 103 , Issue 5 , May 1989 , pp. 461 - 465
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1989

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