Density of Goblet Cells in the Human Eustachian Tube: Relationship between Goblet-cell Density in the Tube and Number of Mucous Glands in the Middle Ear

Abstract

In 14 temporal bones the mucosa from the Eustachian tube and middle ear was removed and stained by the PAS-alcian blue whole-mount method. The goblet-cell density in various parts of the tube was determined on the basis of 4 140 counts of 0.01768 mm counting fields. The number and density of glands in the entire middle ear and in its various parts were determined. In the normal series this revealed up to 50 glands (mean, 13 glands) with a mean density of 0.04 gland per mm². In the slightly abnormal series there were 50-440 glands (mean 193) with a mean density of 0.85 gland per mm³. The goblet-cell density in the osseous part of the tube and in the tubal orifice was found to be considerably lower in the normal than in the slightly abnormal series. The density pattern of the goblet cells exhibited in the normal series a very marked and regular decrease into the tympanic direction and a very low density in the tympanic orifice. In the slightly abnormal series there was a moderate decrease of density into the tympanic direction and a relatively high goblet-cell density in the tympanic orifice. The increase in goblet-cell density in the abnormal series was most pronounced in the tubal roof where under normal conditions the density is low. The presence of glands as well as the extension of areas with goblet cells are sequelae of mucosal metaplasia in the middle ear and osseous tube due to previous pathological actions upon the mucous membrane.