An ultrastructural study of the skin of the tympanic membrane and external ear canal of the guinea pig

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the skin covering the tympanic membrane and external ear canal has been studied in eight guinea pigs, to identify any features which could be related to the rapid movement of the epidermal surface at this site. Migratory epidermis showed evidence of reduced intercellular adhesion in the deeper layers and reduced differentiation in all layers. Differentiation was more evident in cell ridges found at the junctional zone between migratory and non-migratory skin. The findings agree with those of previous authors, and indicate that migration is most likely to occur within the deeper layers of the epidermis.