Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, the Netherlands. Electronic address: [Email]
The epithelium lining the human middle ear and adjacent temporal bone cavity shows a varying morphological appearance throughout these cavities. Its embryologic origin has long been debated and recently got attention in a newly proposed theory of a dual embryologic origin. The epithelial morphology and its differentiating capabilities are of significance in future mucosa-targeted therapeutic agents and could affect surgical approaches of the temporal bone. This study aims to analyze reported murine histological findings that led to the theory of a dual epithelial embryological origin and immunohistochemically investigate whether such an epithelial embryological origin in the human fetal middle ear could be true.
