Electronic Resource
Springer
European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology and head & neck
246 (1989), S. 169-172
ISSN:
1434-4726
Keywords:
Tympanic membrane
;
Ultrastructure
;
Sensory receptors
;
Nerve endings
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Encapsulated nerve endings were found in both the subepidermal connective tissue and the lamina propria of a human tympanic membrane. The structure of the corpuscles was round or oval and contained a number of axon terminals with mitochondria and Schwann cell processes. Amorphous materials were present in the intercellular space. These features appear to be advantageous in transmitting mechanical forces on the capsule to the axon terminals and are comparable to the function of a mechanoreceptor. Resultant changes in the shape and stiffness of the tympanic membrane as the result of its dislocation indicate similar changes in the pressure on the corpuscle. The arrangement of the sensory corpuscles suggests that they may play a role in detecting pressure changes in the middle ear cavity.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00456661
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