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Immunology of Otitis Media

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Immunobiology of the Head and Neck

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Abstract

Fundamental studies of gross anatomy, morphology, and histopathology of the eustachian tube and middle ear have provided a sound basis for understanding inflammation in the middle ear. In an excellent summary of eustachian tube and middle ear anatomy Dr. David Lim has indicated that both local mucosal and systemic defense mechanisms are available (Lim, 1976a,b). The mature eustachian tube is lined with epithelium extending from the nasopharynx, and its cellular composition is approximately 20% goblet cells and 80% ciliated cells. In addition, there are an abundance of glands which empty into the lower two thirds of the tubal lumen. The secretions of the surface goblet cells and glands provide mucous and serous products which form the substance of a mucociliary blanket mobilized by the cilia. This mucociliary transport system is similar to the one that exists in the upper respiratory tract.

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Authors
  1. Robert W. Veltri
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  2. Philip M. Sprinkle
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, Californai, USA

    Allen F. Ryan PhD

  2. San Diego Medical Center, University of California, San Diego, Californai, USA

    Jeffrey P. Harris MD, PhD

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© 1984 College-Hill Press

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Veltri, R.W., Sprinkle, P.M. (1984). Immunology of Otitis Media. In: Poliquin, J.F., Ryan, A.F., Harris, J.P. (eds) Immunobiology of the Head and Neck. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5582-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5582-0_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8960-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5582-0

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