New animal model for assessment of functional laryngeal motor innervation.

Objectives: The functional motor innervation of the larynx is not fully understood because of the complexity of the peripheral neuroanatomy. Since the late 19th century, there has been controversy regarding the role of the superior laryngeal nerve, which may have wider motor projections than are currently acknowledged. The aim of this study was to develop a large animal model to characterize and quantify the functional motor input to the intrinsic laryngeal muscles.

Fresh tympanic membrane perforations heal without significant loss of strength.

Hypothesis: The mechanical and structural properties of the tympanic membrane change after a perforation has healed.

Background: In previous studies, efforts have been made to enhance the healing process of tympanic membrane perforations. The strength of the healed perforation has been tested with moiré interferometry in gerbils, but in no other species.