In the present study, the stapes was examined histologically using serial sections of the temporal bone from 60 ears in 40 cases of Japanese cadavers including those of newborns to elderly persons up to age 84. As reported conventionally, the stapedial footplate showed a two-layer structure consisting of the bone layer on the tympanic cavity side and the cartilage layer on the vestibular side. The cartilage layer and the bony layer was separated basically in a linear manner. The bone and cartilage ratio in the footplate was 1: 1 in most of the cases, although some differences were seen according to age. In the borderline area between the bone and the cartilage in the footplate, no apparent progression of ossification was seen with an increase in age. Observations were also made of the sections for the presence of fissula ante fenestram (FAF). The incidence of its presence, the site of opening, difference between right and left sides, size and cell constitution within it were examined. FAF was found in 56 out of 60 ears (93.3%). In 44 ears, FAF opened on the vesibular side. As to cell constitution within FAF, typical hyaline cartilage was observed in some parts regardless of age. However, ossified fatty changes were seen in ears from elderly persons. Although this site is known as the preference site of otosclerosis, it was observed in none of the preparations examined.

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I reviewed X-ray films of the paranasal sinuses taken by the tomography in frontal section of the Japanese of various ages ranging from 3 to 85 years to determine the morphology and to measure the size of the roof of the ethmoidal sinus and the orbital wall. It was found that the morphology of the roof of the ethmoidal sinus located in the upper portion of the ethmoidal sinus is rich in anatomical varieties. On the other hand, its lower portion shows a constant tendency, although some individual differences are seen.
There are not a few reported cases in which endoscopic intranasal surgery was associated with complications. It is considered that not only familiality with the clinical anatomy but also accumulated experiences on detailed interpretation of images are required to perform the surgery safely and effectively, preventing such complications.

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To determine the relationship between septal deviation and the maxillary sinus development, I measured the height and width of the maxillary sinus and the degree of septal deviation and deflection using 2048 tomographic X-ray films. It was found that the growth of the maxillary sinus was superior on the convex side of the septum in all cases. When classified by the type of deflection, the degree of development was higher on the convex side in 965 cases (84.4%) for the C-type group and 106 cases (71.6%) for the S-type group. On the other hand, the higher degree of development was seen on the concave side in 548 cases (75.0%) for the K-type group. Thus, in the C-type group and K-type group a positive correlation was seen with deflection of the nasal septum.

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A tendency for a decreased incidence of chronic sinusitis, milder pathology and increased nasal allergy have recently been reported. In this regard, the author conducted cytodiagnosis of nasal secretion and questionnaire survey for 3 years from 1985 to 1987 in the northern region of Izu peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture where no otolaryngolgy specialist was residing and no otolaryngological examination was conducted. The present study discusses the results of cytodiagnosis and the questionnaire survey. As compared to the urban area, the ratio of sinusitis patients was higher in the region (agricultural, forestry and fishing region) with no otolaryngology specialist. Though there was some difference depending on the residential area, the incidence was high in younger pupils and tended to go down in older pupils. The ratio of thosewith nasal allergy was the highest in the suburb and factory area, followed by urban area. It was the lowest in the agricultural, forestry and fishing region where no examination was conducted in the past. Compared with sinusitis, the fluctuation of incidence between school age in the same school was less despite a great difference by residential area. The ratio of correspondence of the questionnaire reply with the cytodiagnosis was significantly higher in nasal allergy cases than sinusitis cases. It is therefore advisable to bear in mind of about 30% confidence limit when extracting the two major nasal diseases of sinusitis and nasal allergy from the questionnaire survey results only. The present study did not prove a relation between the living environment and the nasal allergy incidence.

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