[Morphology and growth of the nasopharynx from three years to maturity (author's transl)].

The nasopharynges of 80 adults and children were examined by a specific technique. An impression was taken for a precision plaster model to allow measurement and analysis. In this manner it was possible for the first time to describe spatial relationship and growth of the nasopharynx. The vertical height increases steadily up to the age of 9 years when addition of the adenoids seems to interrupt the growth of the nasopharynx. From then on, the height continues to increase until old age. This increase in mature patients can be attributed to alterations resulting from loss of teeth or maxillary deformation caused by atrophia senilis. The depth shows wide variations, growth was observed with increasing age. The width, i.e., the distance between the eustachian tubes, does not increase. This is due to enlargement of the tubes and increase of the prominentia tubae. The cross-sectional area of the choanae available for air flow increases steadily up to 380 mm2. The volume of the nasopharynx increased in our sample from 2.4 to 6.8 mm3 which represents a factor of 2.8 over the initial size.