The attachments of eustachian tube, levator and tensor veli palati muscles on the base of the skull were measured from the skulls of human adults, infants, newborns ad well as monkeys, dogs and rabbits, respectively. Anatomical characteristics of the levator and tensor veli palati muscles that related to eustachian tubal ventilation and skull morphology were analysed. In addition, some head specimens were dissected for contrast. Levator veli palati muscle (LVPM) lies in the posterioinferior of the eustachian tube. The angles between LVPM and median saggital plane and the angles between LVPM and horizontal plane of palate are larger and their ability of raising the eustachian tube is more effective in the adult than in the newborn and animal. From the eustachian tube to the hamulus, tensor veli palati muscle (TVPM) descends almost vertically in the adult, but ventroward in the newborn and animals, which suggested their different actions upon eustachian tube. The skull morphology of the human adult differs from child and animal, which changes the position and function of LVPM and TVPM. In conclusion, eustachian tube was opened by LVPM chiefly in the adult while by TVPM in the newborn and animal. The incidence of otitis media with effusion is higher in the infant as it is the trasitional stage that the action of TVPM had been decreased while that of LVPM would not have been established.

The characteristic of stress and load transmission in the semilunar cartilage model was studied with three-dimensional photoelastic method based on the principle of biomechanics. In addition to the liner function, the menisci may also provide with significant load-bearing capacity, The bearing capacity of external semilunar cartilage is larger than that of the internal one. Besides, the capsule and other soft tissue of the knee joint also participate in the load transmission. This study suggests that application of three-dimensional photoelastic method for the semilunar cartilage research may be a useful mean and with widespread prospect.