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Anatomy

Walls of the Tympanic Cavity or Middle Ear

  • This cavity is shaped like a narrow six-sided box that has convex medial and lateral walls.
  • It has the shape of the biconcave lens in cross-section (like a red blood cell).

 

The Roof or Tegmental Wall

  • This is formed by a thin plate of bone, called the tegmen tympani (L. tegmen, roof).
  • It separates the tympanic cavity from the dura on the floor of middle cranial fossa.
  • The tegmen tympani also covers the aditus ad antrum.

 

The Floor or Jugular Wall

  • This wall is thicker than the roof.
  • It separates the tympanic cavity from the superior bulb of the internal jugular vein. The internal jugular vein and the internal carotid artery diverge at the floor of the tympanic cavity.
  • The tympanic nerve, a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), passes through an aperture in the floor of the tympanic cavity and its branches form the tympanic plexus.

The Lateral or Membranous Wall

  • This is formed almost entirely by the tympanic membrane.
  • Superiorly it is formed by the lateral bony wall of the epitympanic recess.
  • The handle of the malleus is incorporated in the tympanic membrane, and its head extends into the epitympanic recess.

The Medial or Labyrinthine Wall

  • This separates the middle ear from the membranous labyrinth (semicircular ducts and cochlear duct) encased in the bony labyrinth.
  • The medial wall of the tympanic cavity exhibits several important features.
  • Centrally, opposite the tympanic membrane, there is a rounded promontory (L. eminence) formed by the first turn of the cochlea.
  • The tympanic plexus of nerves, lying on the promontory, is formed by fibres of the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves.
  • The medial wall of the tympanic cavity also has two small apertures or windows.
  • The fenestra vestibuli (oval window) is closed by the base of the stapes, which is bound to its margins by an annular ligament.
  • Through this window, vibrations of the stapes are transmitted to the perilymph window within the bony labyrinth of the inner ear.
  • The fenestra cochleae (round window) is inferior to the fenestra vestibuli.
  • This is closed by a second tympanic membrane.

 

The Posterior or Mastoid Wall

  • This wall has several openings in it.
  • In its superior part is the aditus ad antrum (mastoid antrum), which leads posteriorly from the epitympanic recess to the mastoid cells.
  • Inferiorly is a pinpoint aperture on the apex of a tiny, hollow projection of bone, called the pyramidal eminence (pyramid).
  • This eminence contains the stapedius muscle.
  • Its aperture transmits the tendon of the stapedius, which enters the tympanic cavity and inserts into the stapes.
  • Lateral to the pyramid, there is an aperture through which the chorda tympani nerve, a branch of the facial nerve (CN VII), enters the tympanic cavity.

The Anterior Wall or Carotid Wall

  • This wall is a narrow as the medial and lateral walls converge anteriorly.
  • There are two openings in the anterior wall.
  • The superior opening communicates with a canal occupied by the tensor tympani muscle.
  • Its tendon inserts into the handle of the malleus and keeps the tympanic membrane tense.
  • Inferiorly, the tympanic cavity communicates with the nasopharynx through the auditory tube.

Innervation of the Skin

  • Innervation of the skin is mainly through the three branches of the trigeminal nerve (CN V).
  • Some skin over the angle of the mandible and anterior and posterior of the auricle is supplied by the great auricular nerve from the cervical plexus.
  • Some cutaneous branches of the auricular branch of the facial nerve also supplies skin on both sides of the auricle.
  • The trigeminal nerve is the general sensory nerve to the head, particularly the face, and is the motor nerve to the muscles of mastication.

The Ophthalmic Nerve

  • This is the superior division of the trigeminal nerve, the smallest of the three branches and is wholly sensory.
  • The ophthalmic nerve divides into three branches: the nasociliary, frontal and lacrimal just before entering the orbit through the superior orbital fissure.
  • The nasociliary nerve supplies the tip of the nose through the external nasal branch of the anterior ethmoidal nerve.
  • The frontal nerve is the direct continuation of CN V1 and divides into two branches, the supraorbital and supratrochlear.
  • The supratrochlear nerve supplies the middle part of the forehead.
  • The supraorbital nerve supplies the lateral part and the front of the scalp.
  • The lacrimal nerve, the smallest of the main ophthalmic branches, emerges over the superolateral orbital margin to supply the lacrimal gland and the lateral part of the upper eyelid.

The Maxillary Nerve

  • This is the intermediate division of the trigeminal nerve.
  • It has three cutaneous branches.
  • The infraorbital nerve is the largest terminal branch of the maxillary nerve.
  • It passes through the infraorbital foramen and breaks up into branches that supplies the skin on the lateral aspect of the nose, upper lip and lower eyelid.
  • The zygomaticofacial nerve, a small branch of the maxillary, emerges from the zygomatic bone from a foramen with the same name.
  • It supplies the skin over the zygomatic bone.
  • The zygomaticotemporal nerve emerges from the zygomatic bone from foramen of the same name.
  • It supplies the skin over the temporal region.

The Mandibular Nerve

  • This is the inferior division of the trigeminal nerve.
  • Of the three division of the trigeminal nerve, CN V3 is the only one that carries motor fibres (to the muscles of mastication).
  • The main sensory branches of the mandibular nerve are the buccal, auriculotemporal, inferior alveolar and lingual nerves.
  • The buccal nerve is a small branch of the mandibular that emerges from deep to the ramus of the mandible.
  • It supplies the skin of the cheek over the buccinator muscle, the mucous membrane lining the cheek, and the buccal surface of the gingiva.
  • The auriculotemporal nerve passes medially to the neck of the mandible and then turns superiorly, posterior to its head and anterior to the auricle. It then crosses over the root of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, deep to the superficial temporal artery.
  • It supplies the auricle, external acoustic meatus, tympanic membrane, and the skin in the temporal region.
  • The inferior alveolar nerve is the large terminal branch of the posterior division of the mandibular nerve (the lingual nerve is the other terminal branch).
  • It enters the mandible through the mandibular foramen to the mandibular canal. In the canal, it gives branches to the mandibular teeth.
  • Opposite the mental foramen, this nerve divides into the mental nerve and the incisive nerve.
  • The incisive nerve supplies the incisor teeth, the adjacent gingiva and the mucosa of the lower lip.
  • The mental nerve emerges from the mental foramen and supplies the skin of the chin and the skin and mucous membrane of the lower lip and gingiva.
  • The lingual nerve is the smaller terminal branch of the mandibular nerve.
  • It supplies the general sensory fibres to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth and the gingivae of the mandibular teeth.

The Articular Capsule

  • The capsule of this joint is loose.
  • The thin fibrous capsule is attached to the margins of the articular area on the temporal bone and around the neck of the mandible.

Endochondral ossification

  • A cartilage model exists
  • Through intramembraneous ossification in the perichondrium a collar of bone forms around the middle part of the cartilage model
  • The perichondrium change to a periostium
  • The bone collar cuts off the nutrient and oxygen supply to the chondrocytes in the cartilage model
  • The chondrocytes then increase in size and resorb the surrounding cartilage matrix until only thin vertical septae of matrix are left over
  • These thin plates then calcify after which the chondrocytes die
  • The osteoclasts make holes in the bone collar through which blood vessels can now enter the cavities left behind by the chondrocytes
  • With the blood vessels osteoprogenitor cells enter the tissue
  • They position themselves on the calcified cartilage septae, change into osteoblasts and start to deposit bone to form trabeculae
  • In the mean time the periosteum is depositing bone on the outside of the bone collar making it thicker and thicker
  • The trabeculae,consisting of a core of calcified cartilage with bone deposited on top of it, are eventually resorbed by osteoclasts to form the marrow cavity
  • The area where this happens is the primary ossification centre and lies in what is called the diaphysis (shaft)
  • This process spreads in two directions towards the two ends of the bone the epiphysis
  • In the two ends (heads) of the bone a similar process takes place
  • A secondary ossification centre develops from where ossification spreads radially
  • Here no bone collar forms
  • The outer layer of the original cartilage remains behind to form the articulating cartilage
  • Between the primary and the secondary ossification centers two epiphyseal cartilage plates remain
  • This is where the bone grows in length
  • From the epiphyseal cartilage plate towards the diaphysis a number of zones can be identified:

 Resting zone of cartilage

 Hyaline cartilage

 Proliferation zone

 Chondrocytes divide to form columns of cells that mature.

Hypertrophic cartilage zone

 Chondrocytes become larger, accumulate glycogen, resorb the surrounding matrix so that only thin septae of cartilage remain 

Calcification and degeneration zone

The thin septae of cartilage become calcified.

The calsified septae cut off the nutrient supply to the chondrocytes so subsequently they die.

Ossification zone.

Osteoclasts make openings in the bone collar through which blood vessels then invade the spaces left vacant by the chondrocytes that died.

Osteoprogenitor cells come in with the blood and position themselves on the calcified cartilage

septae, change into osteoblasts and start to deposit bone.

 When osteoblasts become trapped in bone they change to osteocytes.

Growth and remodeling of bone

Long bones become longer because of growth at the epiphyseal plates

They become wider because of bone formed by the periosteum

The marrow cavity becomes bigger because of resorbtion by the osteoclasts

Fracture repair

When bone is fractured a blood clot forms

 Macrophages then remove the clot, remaining osteocytes and damaged bone matrix

The periosteum and endosteum produce osteoprogenitor cells that form a cellular tissue in the fracture area

 Intramembranous and endochondral ossification then take place in this area forming trabeculae.

Trabeculae connect the two ends of the broken bone to form a callus

Remodelling then takes place to restore the bone as it was

Joints

The capsule of a joint seals off the articular cavity,  

The capsule has two layers

 fibrous (outer)

synovial (inner)

The synovial layer is lined by squamous or cuboidal epithelial cells,  Under this layer is a layer of loose or dense CT, The lining cells consists of two types:

- A cells

- B cells

They secrete the synovial fluid

They are different stages of the same cell, They are also phagocytic., The articular cartilage has fibres that run perpendicular to the bone and then turn to run parallel to the surface

 

Muscles of the Soft Palate

The Levator Veli Palatini (Levator Palati)

  • Superior attachment: cartilage of the auditory tube and petrous part of temporal bone.
  • Inferior attachment: palatine aponeurosis.
  • Innervation: pharyngeal branch of vagus via pharyngeal plexus.
  • This cylindrical muscle runs inferoanteriorly, spreading out in the soft palate, where it attaches to the superior surface of the palatine aponeurosis.
  • It elevates the soft palate, drawing it superiorly and posteriorly.
  • It also opens the auditory tube to equalise air pressure in the middle ear and pharynx.

 

The Tensor Veli Palatini (Tensor Palati)

  • Superior attachment: scaphoid fossa of medial pterygoid plate, spine of sphenoid bone, and cartilage of auditory tube.
  • Inferior attachment: palatine aponeurosis.
  • Innervation: medial pterygoid nerve (a branch of the mandibular nerve).
  • This thin, triangular muscle passes inferiorly, and hooks around the hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate.
  • It then inserts into the palatine aponeurosis.
  • This muscle tenses the soft palate by using the hamulus as a pulley.
  • It also pulls the membranous portion of the auditory tube open to equalise air pressure of the middle ear and pharynx.

 

The Palatoglossus Muscle

  • Superior attachment: palatine aponeurosis.
  • Inferior attachment: side of tongue.
  • Innervation: cranial part of accessory nerve (CN XI) through the pharyngeal branch of vagus (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus.
  • This muscle, covered by mucous membrane, forms the palatoglossal arch.
  • The palatoglossus elevates the posterior part of the tongue and draws the soft palate inferiorly onto the tongue.

 

  • Superior attachment: hard palatThe Palatopharyngeus Musclee and palatine aponeurosis.
  • Inferior attachment: lateral wall of pharynx.
  • Innervation: cranial part of accessory nerve (CN XI) through the pharyngeal branch of vagus (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus.
  • This thin, flat muscle is covered with mucous membrane to form the palatopharyngeal arch.
  • It passes posteroinferiorly in this arch.
  • This muscle tenses the soft palate and pulls the walls of the pharynx superiorly, anteriorly and medially during swallowing.

 

The Musculus Uvulae

  • Superior attachment: posterior nasal spine and palatine aponeurosis.
  • Inferior attachment: mucosa of uvula.
  • Innervation: cranial part of accessory through the pharyngeal branch of vagus, via the pharyngeal plexus.
  • It passes posteriorly on each side of the median plane and inserts into the mucosa of the uvula.
  • When the muscle contracts, it shortens the uvula and pulls it superiorly.

The Nose

  • The nose is the superior part of the respiratory tract and contains the peripheral organ of smell.
  • It is divided into right and left nasal cavities by the nasal septum.
  • The nasal cavity is divided into the olfactory area and the respiratory area.

Cardiac Muscle

Fibres anastomose through cross bridges

Fibres are short, connected end to end at intercalated discs, also striated,  contract automatically

Light microscopic Structure:

Short fibres connected at intercalated disks,  85 - 100 µm long,  15 µm

same bands as in skeletal muscle,  1 or 2 nuclei - oval and central,  in perinuclear area is a sarcoplasmic reticulum, intercalated discs lie at the Z line

Electron microscopic structure:

 Between myofibrils lie the mitochondria,  2,5 µm long mitochondria,  dense cristae

and are as long as the sarcomere, fibres have more glycogen than skeletal muscle fibres

myofilaments, actin and myosin are the same as in skeletal muscle,  the sarcoplasmic reticulum differs in that there is no terminal sisterna. The sarcotubules end in little feet that

sit on the T-tubule

Intercalated Disc:

on Z lines,  fibres interdigitate,

 3 types of junctions in the disc

Transverse Part:

zonula adherens

desmosomes

Lateral Part:

Gap junctions (nexus) - for impulse transfer

Mechanism of Contraction:

slide - ratchet like in skeletal muscle, certain fibres are modified for conduction,  Impulses spread from cell to cell through gap junctions,  Purkinje cells are found in the AV bundle

they have less myofibrils,  lots of glycogen and intercalated discs

Connective tissue coverings:

Only endomycium in cardiac muscle,  Blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves lie in the endomycium

 

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