Distribution and Density of Goblet Cells in the Normal Adult Human Middle Ear

The purpose of this study was to map the distribution and density of goblet cells in the clinically normal middle ear. From 12 temporal bones, derived from 12 adult patients with clinically normal middle ears, the mucosa was prepared and stained by the PAS-alcian blue whole-mount method. In six of the patients the middle ears with meticulous gross and microscopic investigation showed mild sequelae of previous otitis media, called the slightly abnormal series, whereas the other six patients who had entirely normal middle ears were designated the normal series. Each middle ear was investigated in 12 different areas: tympanic orifice, hypotympanum anteriorly and posteriorly, round window niche, oval window niche, promontory anteriorly, in the middle, and posteriorly, epitympanum, antrum, and mastoid process. In each middle ear area the goblet-cell density and distribution were determined on the basis of 30 to 50 counts of 0.01768 mm² epithelial surface, a total of at least 4800 counts. In six patients goblet cells were found in all 12 areas, in three patients in 11, and in three patients in 10. In both series there was a distinct decrease in goblet-cell density from the tympanic orifice, towards the posterior areas of the middle ear and the mastoid process. However, two patients of the slightly abnormal series exhibited a considerably greater density in the posterior than in the anterior part of the hypotympanum. The mean goblet-cell density in the slightly abnormal series was distinctly greater in all middle ear areas than in the normal series. Correspondingly, goblet cells were demonstrated in the antrum and mastoid process in all patients of the slightly abnormal series, but in only half of the normal series. Therefore, the greater goblet-cell density in the slightly abnormal series presumaby results from a previous past disease condition of the middle ear.