Age-related morphologic differences in the components of the eustachian tube/middle ear system.

The current study utilized a three-dimensional computer graphics technique to analyze the size, shape, and positional associations of the eustachian tube (ET) cartilage and lumen, the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle, and the tensor veli palatini (TVP) muscle. Older specimens 7 years and above (n = 13) were compared to young specimens less than 7 years (n = 4). Our results suggest that changes in ET function associated with age could result from size and shape differences in the ET cartilage and changes in the position of the LVP and TVP muscles.