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  • Title: Eustachian tube-tensor veli palatini muscle-cranial base relationships in children and adults: an osteological study.
    Author: Doyle WJ, Swarts JD.
    Journal: Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol; 2010 Sep; 74(9):986-90. PubMed ID: 20580443.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: The vector relationships between the Eustachian tube, Tensor veli palatini muscle and cranial base constrain the efficiency of middle ear pressure-regulation and are required parameters for computational modeling of Eustachian tube function. Here, those relationships were reconstructed from skulls and compared between children and adults. METHOD: Reconstructions were made using modifications of previously described techniques for 18 child skulls aged 3-4 years and 20 adult skulls (10 females, 10 males; >18 years). Measured and calculated variables were compared between groups using a Student's t-test. RESULTS: Consistent with previous reports, certain variables for adult skulls exhibited sexual dimorphism. Between children and adults, significant differences were documented for measures of cranial base length and width; hard palate width; nasopharyngeal height, width and depth; Eustachian tube length; the maximum and minimum Tensor veli palatini muscle lengths; the angles of deviation of the Tensor veli palatini muscle from the Eustachian tube, and the surface area of the Tensor veli palatini muscle. There were no between-group differences in the angle of Eustachian tube decent from the cranial base, Eustachian tube deviation from the parasagittal plane or the lateral component of the Tensor veli palatine muscle-Eustachian tube angle. CONCLUSIONS: The differences between children and adults that could account for the observed poorer Eustachian tube function in children include their shorter Eustachian tube, lesser Tensor veli palatine muscle-Eustachian tube vectors, and the lesser Tensor veli palatine muscle surface area. Other observed differences are attributable to growth and development of the craniofacial complex.
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