Topography and dimensions of the auditory tube at the end of the fetal period

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15574/SP.2024.138.86

Keywords:

anatomy, premature babies, auditory tube

Abstract

Introduction. Otitis media in premature newborns and term newborns is a serious problem due to the immaturity of the organs and systems of these children and the difficulty of their adaptation. This often leads to the development of pathological changes in the hearing organ and the need for surgical intervention.

The aim - to find out the topographic and anatomical features of the auditory tube at the end of the fetal period to improve technologies and the adequacy of surgical treatment.

Material and methods. The study was performed on 35 human fetuses of 231.0-375.0 mm parietococcygeal length (PCL) and 11 neonatal cadavers. In the course of the study the following methods were used: thin dissection of the middle ear and adjacent areas under the control of a binocular loupe; macro- and microscopy; morphometry; macro photography with digital camera "OLIMPUS μ 1000 All-weather 10.0 MPix".

Results. It has been established that the size and shape of the auditory tube in premature babies do not have definitive dimensions and its location differs from that in term newborns. The pharyngeal openings of the auditory tubes are located at the level of the hard palate, and in term newborns - above the level of the hard palate. The tympanic openings from the lower part of the anterior wall of the tympanic cavity in fetuses of the seventh month of intrauterine growth completely move to its upper part and open into the supratympanic space in fetuses of the tenth month.

Conclusions. The defined features of the development of the auditory tube at the end of the fetal period are important for the improvement of technologies and the adequacy of surgical treatment and manipulations in premature babies and term newborns.

The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the institution indicated in the work.

No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

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2024-03-28

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