Dr. Matthew Mason: Further Information...
University Physiologist Tel: +44 (0)1223 333829, Fax: +44 (0)1223 333840, E-mail: mjm68@cam.ac.uk
Jones, S.E.M., Mason, M.J., Sunkaraneni, V.S. & Baguley, D.M. (2008) The effect of auditory stimulation on the tensor tympani in patients following stapedectomy. Acta Oto-Laryngologica 128: 250-254.
Perhaps surprisingly given its name, the functional role of the tensor tympani muscle in humans is far from clear. One of the problems in trying to assess its function is that any apparent effect measured could be due to contractions in the other middle ear muscle, the stapedius. In this study, we attempted to get around this problem by performing audiological examinations on a group of patients each of whom had previously had their stapes removed, in which case the stapedius muscle would also be missing and any response must come from the tensor contraction. We found tympanometric responses to auditory stimulation in a minority of the examined patients, but these responses were much smaller than what we would have expected if the stapedius muscle were intact. Although a tensor reflex appears to be present in at least some people, its functional significance in humans is questionable.
To access this paper via the Informa Healthcare website, please click here.
Please note the following correction:
There is a referencing error in this paper. Reference [1] should actually be the following:
Howell, P. (1984) Are two muscles needed for the normal functioning of the mammalian middle ear? Acta Oto-Laryngologica 98: 204-207.
Please contact me if you would like to be sent a reprint copy of this paper.