The Nasopharyngeal Orifice of the Auditory Tube: Implications for Tubal Dynamics Anatomy

Abstract

This is the first part of a study designed to clarify the relationship between auditory tube dilation and observed movement of the naso-pharyngeal orifice of the tube. This report seeks to delineate the anatomical parameters of the system, whereas, the second will report on findings of torus 'movement' observed during simultaneous tympan— ometric measurement of tubal function during swallowing. The disposition of the paratubal musculature, relation between the tubal cartilage and the cranial base, relations between the cartilage and the medial pyterygoid plate, relation between the two cartilaginous laminae, and the presence of a heavy coat of soft tissue over the torus were findings felt to indicate that movement of the tubal cartilage in swallowing cannot occur. Nasopharyngoscopic reports of " cartilage " movement during swallowing may be observations of soft tissue sliding over the torus and not torus movement itself.