Tympanic membrane retraction pockets. Etiology, pathogeny, treatment.

The author describes the morphological behaviour of the tympanic membrane, undergoing long term negative pressure in the middle ear cavities. He explains the viscoelastic properties of the tympanic membrane lamina propria, in cases of retraction pockets. He analyses the preferential weakness of some well localized parts of the tympanic membrane and defends an accurate treatment to avoid this pathology.