A scanning electron microscope study of preserved allograft tympanic membranes: a comparison with autogenous grafts, xenografts and the normal eardrum.

Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the surface architecture of the human tympanic membrane. The morphology of the eardrum was compared with the surface structures of preserved tympanic membranes (allografts), fresh air-dried temporalis fascia and preserved calf jugular veins (xenografts). The role of the physical structure and the composition of the extracellular matrix in the regeneration of a tympanic graft is discussed.