Morphology of tensor veli palatini, tensor tympani, and dilatator tubae muscles.

The relationships among the paratubal muscles were studied in human fetal and adult Eustachian tubes. That which has, in recent years, been labeled the tensor veli palatini muscle actually consists of two distinct groups of muscle fibers: a medial group, henceforth termed dilatator tubae, and a lateral group, called tensor veli palatini. The latter was found to have no Eustachian tube origin, but was continuous superiorly with the tensor tympani muscle. The dilatator tubae muscle was found to have a tubal attachment. The participation of this muscle system in the normal functioning of the Eustachian tube-middle ear system in man, and the problems inherent in the development of animal models simulating the physiology of the physiology of the human system, are discussed.