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Dissection of the Auditory Bulla in Postnatal Mice: Isolation of the Middle Ear Bones and Histological Analysis
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Ultrastructure of the tympanic membrane in the Rhesus monkey

T Lildholdt, J Clausen, E I Cantekin

    The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
    |September 1, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    Rhesus monkey tympanic membranes closely resemble human ones, based on electron microscopy. This similarity makes the Rhesus monkey a valuable model for studying the tympanic membrane and middle-ear system.

    Area of Science:

    • Otolaryngology
    • Comparative Anatomy
    • Microscopy

    Background:

    • The tympanic membrane's structure is crucial for hearing.
    • Understanding variations across species aids in developing animal models for research.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the ultrastructure of Rhesus monkey tympanic membranes.
    • To compare the Rhesus monkey tympanic membrane to the human counterpart.
    • To evaluate the Rhesus monkey as a model for human middle-ear studies.

    Main Methods:

    • Transmission electron microscopy was used.
    • Eight Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were analyzed.
    • The dermo-epidermal junction and fibrous framework were examined.

    Main Results:

    • The tympanic membrane's epidermal and fibrous layers showed a smooth interface.
    • A distinct dermo-epidermal junction secured the basal cell layer to the lamina propria.
    • Fibrils within the membrane varied in shape and thickness, with thin fibrils being quadrangular.

    Conclusions:

    • The Rhesus monkey tympanic membrane exhibits significant structural similarity to the human tympanic membrane.
    • This anatomical similarity supports functional parallels in the Eustachian tube-middle-ear system.
    • The Rhesus monkey is a suitable animal model for research on the tympanic membrane.

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