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Role of tensor (palati and tympani) muscle-complex in health and diseases

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Abstract

The tensor tympani muscle in addition to its well established functions decides the degree of eustachian tube opening by ‘tuning’ the tensor palati muscle. It helps cochlear protection as the ‘trigger zone’ for its reflex contraction in response to loud sound. Tensor tympani muscle is instrumental in curing mild degree of abnormally patulous eustachian tube (by functional tubal myoplasty) as well as moderate eustachian insufficiency (by physiological tympanostomy); whereas its bony semi-canal provides an avenue for by-passing the stenosed eustachian tube (tympano-nasopharyngeal shunt operation).

Four different parts of eustachian canal are dilated by the tensor palati muscle during the swallowing act. Tensor palati muscle is of surgical significance in the management of bilateral palatal palsy (by functional veloplasty) as well as in functional disorders of eustachian tube, e.g. physiological tubal stenosis (by functional tuboplasty); and abnormally patulous tube (by re-routing operation). The author recommends a new manoeuver (Physiologic autoinflation) of voluntary middle ear inflation as a therapeutic measure for cases of mild eustachian insufficiency and chronic serous otitis media, this manoeuver, being independent of both the phases of respiration, and the intrathoracic pressure, has potential for utilization in aviation medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of E.N.T., M.L.B. Medical College, Jhansi (U.P.), India

    V. K. Misurya

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  1. V. K. Misurya
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Additional information

Dr. R. A. F. Cooper Award Paper read at the 28th Annual Conference of the Association Otolaryngologists of India held in Calcutta January 1976.

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Misurya, V.K. Role of tensor (palati and tympani) muscle-complex in health and diseases. Indian J Otolaryngol 28, 67–72 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02990581

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