The density of microflora in the oral and pharyngeal cavities

A method for quantitative assessment of the microbial density on the mucous membranes in the oral and pharyngeal cavities is described. The results of the assessment are in agreement with the theoretical assumption based on the existence of a natural electrostatic filter. The highest density of microbes is on the tonsils where the positive pole of the filter is situated, so that a synergism between the defensive immunological role of the tonsils and the bioelectric potential pattern is obvious. The microbial densities in the oral cavity are more or less interdependent whereas the findings on the pharynx rear wall are isolated being probably perturbed by repeated swallowing.