[Adhesive process and cholesteatoma in the sequel of tubal disfunction (author's transl)].

By means of histological studies we could show: 1. Malfunction of the auditory tube is a reason for the development of the adhesive process and the retraction pocket. 2. The retraction pocket is the precursor of cholesteatoma, because of best conditions for the epithelial ingrowth. 3. Granulation tissue within the tympanic cleft is nutritive basis for the socalled matrix and allows the growth of the cholesteatoma. 4. We may have shown, that a cholesteatoma can develop inspite of an intact membrane, first of all if the pars fibrosa is lacking. 5. The cholesteatoma pushes inwards the distended tympanic membrane of the remnants of it. Resisting structures as the enwrapped long process of incus, the malleus or the tensor tendon allow the neck formation of the cholesteatoma. So the way is shown, which leads from serotubotympanitic catarrh and otitis media adhaesiva to adhesive process and cholesteatoma. The starting point is a tubal malfunction.