Neural control of the middle ear mucosa

Neurogenic inflammation is assumed to be an important local defence mechanism against noxious stimuli in various parts of the body. Recent experimental evidence suggests substance P(SP) to be the mediator of this mechanism in the respiratory tract. Immunohistochemically, SP has earlier been reported to be present in the middle ear mucosa of the cat and guinea pig. Our earlier study demonstrated SP-like immunoreactive (SPLI) nerve fibres in the middle ear mucosa and tympanic nerve of the rat, guinea pig and man. This study shows that in experimental animals, many neuron cell bodies of the sensory ganglia of the glossopharyngeal nerve show SPLI. It is suggested that SP may be involved in the neurogenic inflammatory reaction leading to the mucosal middle ear disease.