Mechanism and rate of middle ear fluid absorption

Petia Petrova, Sharon Freeman, Haim Sohmer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Several mechanisms have been suggested to explain the clearance of fluids from the middle ear. These include a pumping action through the eustachian tube, mucociliary beating through the tube, outflow of water to the blood due to osmotic gradients and an active Na+ transport driving water absorption. In order to assess these mechanisms, the middle ear cavity of paralyzed, ventilated (eustachian tube occluded) guinea pigs was filled with fluids varying in osmotic pressure (hypotonic, isotonic, hypertonic) to which a vertical tube was attached. The change in height of fluid in the tube was taken as a measure of changes in middle ear fluid volume. A greater fluid volume reduction was seen with the hypotonic (1/5 saline) solution. A small volume increase was observed with the hypertonic solution. These results provide evidence that in these experimental conditions, water absorption due to osmotic gradients can contribute to middle ear fluid clearance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)155-159
Number of pages5
JournalAudiology and Neurotology
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2007

Keywords

  • Eustachian tube
  • Hypertonic solution
  • Hypotonic solution
  • Middle ear effusion
  • Middle ear fluid absorption
  • Mucociliary clearance mechanism
  • Muscle pumping mechanism
  • Osmotic pressure

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