Falk B, Magnuson B
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1984 Jun;92(3):312-8. doi: 10.1177/019459988409200313.
Previous research on eustachian tube function has been devoted mainly to the study of the tubal opening ability and pressure equalization. This article summarizes a series of experimental studies focusing on the closing ability of the tube. Results support the belief that the purpose of the tube should be seen primarily as protecting the middle ear from the extensive pressure variations that physiologically take place in the nasopharynx. A number of studies of diseased ears have shown that tubal malfunction was characterized mainly by a reduced ability to withstand negative pressure in the nasopharynx. Sniffing can evacuate the middle ear, causing high negative intratympanic pressure. It seems likely that this mechanism is involved in the development of middle ear effusion and manifest retraction-type middle ear disease.
以往关于咽鼓管功能的研究主要集中在咽鼓管开放能力和压力平衡方面。本文总结了一系列聚焦于咽鼓管闭合能力的实验研究。结果支持这样一种观点，即咽鼓管的功能主要应被视为保护中耳免受鼻咽部生理上发生的广泛压力变化的影响。多项针对患病耳朵的研究表明，咽鼓管功能障碍的主要特征是承受鼻咽部负压的能力降低。吞咽可使中耳排空，导致鼓膜腔内出现高负压。这种机制似乎与中耳积液和明显的内陷型中耳疾病的发生有关。
