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The middle ear transformer mechanism: man versus mouse

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

M. McDonogh
Affiliation:
Pretoria, South Africa

Summary

The anatomy and physiology of the middle ear transformer mechanism in man and a species of rodent, desmodillus auricularis, are compared. This rodent's middle ear mechanism has a transformer ratio of 147: 1 as compared to 18, 3:1 in man—some 8 times greater. The reasons for this difference are given and possible applications to middle ear surgery are suggested.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1986

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