Anatomic relationshiphs between the human levator and tensor veli palatini and the eustachian tube.

To define the interrelationships of the human levator and tensor veli palatini muscles and the Eustachian tube, fetal heads were serially sectioned and anatomic reconstruction done. Cephalometric points on fetal and adult skulls were compared to evaluate the effect of growth and development on these interrelationships. Based on the results of this study, we propose a mechanism for Eustachian tube function in the normal and in the cleft palate patient. This mechanism offers some explanations for many previously unexplained and paradoxical clinical observations.