Mongolian gerbil tympanic membrane. Normal and with induced otitis media.

Otoscopic observation of the tympanic membrane is the most effective noninvasive means of diagnosing and following the course of experimental otitis media in animal models of the disease in both short-term and in longitudinal studies. Because of the difficulty of viewing the entire tympanic membrane of the gerbil model of otitis media without manipulation, we present methods of visualizing and color illustrations of the normal tympanic membrane of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus. These are compared with illustrations of animals with acute experimental otitis media. An artist's rendition of the entire normal gerbil tympanic membrane is presented. These methods and illustrations will enable investigators to more rapidly and easily adopt the Mongolian gerbil as an animal model for studies of otitis media.