Goblet cell density in Eustachian tube of children.

In 13 clinically normal infants and children between the ages of 9 days and 14 years, the entire mucosa from the Eustachian tube was dissected and stained by the PAS-Alcian blue whole-mount method, and the density of goblet cells was determined in 360 counting fields. This disclosed an extreme dispersion of median density in the various parts, due to a physiological increase through childhood, an increase in the osseous or cartilaginous part, and in the entire Eustachian tube due to pathologic actions such as tubal occlusion, recurrent or protracted catarrhal conditions, regurgitations, and duodenal intubation. After the pathologic stimulation has ceased, the density falls, presumably to the limit normal for the age concerned.