Premium
Lymphatics in middle ear effusion
Author(s) -
Galich Richard
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-197310000-00011
Subject(s) - lymphatic system , clearance , tympanum (architecture) , serous fluid , eustachian tube , transudate , connective tissue , anatomy , pathology , medicine , effusion , middle ear , serous membrane , biology , tympan , pleural effusion , surgery , myringotomy , pleural fluid , urology
Abstract Serous middle ear effusions frequently fail to resolve, long after the causative inflammatory‐obstructive process of the tympanum and eustachian tube have cleared. A disruption of the normal subepithelial connective tissue and lymphatic function is postulated. An animal experiment is described which demonstrates an ability of particles, in the size range of transudate proteins, to cross the tympanic mucosa and be cleared by a healthy functioning lymphatic system.