Temporal Bone Anatomy

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Temporal Bone Anatomy

Otology/Audiology
Author Credentials 

Dr. Prashant M. Naik, MS (ENT), DLO
21, Central Excise Colony 
Ring Road 
Nagpur (MS) 440015
India

Phone: 0919823298575
Email: prasima@hotmail.com
           prasima25@gmail.com

Module Summary

This module is designed for the study of temporal bone anatomy.

The anatomically complex temporal bone holds many minute and intricately related structures in its small dimensions. The difficult-to-understand three-dimensional topography of the bone mandates the detailed study of this bone before any surgical endeavours. And knowledge of the embryology of such a complex bone makes it easier to understand the inner intricacies.

The module starts with the basic appraisal of the organogenesis, that is, the embryological growth of the temporal bone. The well-illustrated references quoted here may appear lengthy but are worth going through. Then the module discusses the anatomy of the temporal bone in detail, more so the endoscopic anatomy of the middle ear and the middle ear spaces. 

The website of Michigan Medical School Learning Resources is ‘the last stop’ for learning the histology of various organelles in this bone. Using beautiful Webscope images, it interactively teaches us the histology. To master the detailed anatomy of this bone, radiological correlations of different inner structures must also be studied. To date, nothing better than the book by Galdino E Valvassori. But if not-so-lengthy reference is needed, then the others mentioned can also be referred to.

Module Learning Objectives 
  1. Describe the embryology of the temporal bone.
  2. Discuss the histology of the temporal bone.
  3. Define the various terminologies needed to understand the anatomy of the temporal bone.
  4. Relate the basic anatomy of the temporal bone.
  5. Explain comprehensively the intricate relations of the cochlea and vestibule to other structures.
  6. Visualise the middle ear spaces.
  7. Comprehend the radiological features of the temporal bone.

 

Embryology

Learning Objectives 
  1. Gain an overview of the organogenesis of the temporal bone.
References 
  1.  Som PM, Curtin HD, Liu K, and Mafee MF. Current Embryology of the Temporal Bone, Part I: The Inner Ear. Neurographics 2016 July/August; 6(4):250 –265. (DOI: 10.3174/ng.4160166) 
  2.  Som PM, Curtin HD, Liu K, and Mafee MF. Current Embryology of the Temporal Bone, Part II: The Middle and External Ears, the Statoacoustic and Facial Nerves, and When Things Go Developmentally Wrong. Neurographics 2016 September/October; 6(5):332–349. (DOI: 10.3174/ng.5160174)
  3. Cunsolo E, Mattioli F, Alicandri-Ciufelli M, Marchioni D. Ear embryology. In: Presutti L, Marchioni D, editors. Endoscopic Ear Surgery - vol1. Principles, Indications, and Techniques. Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt Ltd. p. 17-37.

Anatomy

Learning Objectives 

Relate

  • the basic anatomy of the temporal bone.
  • the anatomy of the external, middle, and inner ear.
  • the endoscopic anatomy of the middle ear.
  • the layout of the middle ear spaces.
  • the anatomy of the internal acoustic canal.
  • the histology of the temporal bone.

 

References 
  1. Marchioni D., Alicandri-Ciufelli M, Villari D, Presutti L. Endoscopic Middle Ear Anatomy. In: Presutti L, Marchioni D, editors. Endoscopic Ear Surgery - vol 1, Principles, Indications, and Techniques. Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt Ltd; 2014.. p. 39-64.  (ISBN 978-3-13-163041-4, Hardback)
  2. Li B, Doan Phi, Gruhl RR, Rubini A, Marchioni D, and Fina M: Endoscopic Anatomy of the Tensor Fold and Anterior Attic. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 2018;158(2):358–363.  (DOI: 10.1177/0194599817739295) 
  3. Isaacson G: Endoscopic Anatomy of the Pediatric Middle Ear. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery 2014;150(1):6–15. (DOI: 10.1177/0194599813509589) 
  4. Portmann M, Sterkers JM, Charachon R, Choard Ch. The Internal Auditory Meatus - Anatomy, Pathology and Surgery. Churchil Livingstone, Medical Division of Langman Group Ltd;. 1975. p.13-34. 
  5. Gulya AJ. Anatomy of the Ear and Temporal Bone. In: Glasscock ME, Gulya AJ, editors. Glasscock-Shambaugh Surgery of the Ear, 5th ed. BC Decker Inc, Elsevier. p. 35-57.  (Original ISBN 0-7216-2063-9; Indian Reprint ISBN 81-8147-122-9). 
  6. Michigan Histology and Virtual Microscopy Learning Resources (http://histology.medicine.umich.edu/resources/ear)
  7. Adunka OF, Buchman CA. Otology, Neurotology, and Lateral Skull Base Surgery - An Illustrated Handbook. Stuttgart, New York: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt Ltd; 2011;1: 6-21. (ISBN 978-3-13-145021-0; ISBN INDIA 978-93-80378-82-4)

 

Imaging

Learning Objectives 
  1. Trace the normal radiology of the temporal bone.
  2. Recognize and appreciate the wealth of intricate anatomical details demonstrated radiologically.
  3. Make use of several recognizable figures as landmarks for positioning.
  4. Master the detailed CT anatomy of the middle and inner ear.

 

References 
  1. De Brucker Y, Allemeersch G-J, Buisseret T, de Mey J. Basic and advanced temporal bone anatomy using different figures as landmarks. www.researchgate.net/publication/328354385_Basic_and_advanced_temporal_bone_anatomy_using_different_figures_as_landmarks#pf1c
  2. http://www.radiologyassistant.nl/en/p43facba0911f5/temporal-bone-anatomy.html
  3. Valvassori GE, Buckingham RA. Tomography and cross sections of the ear. WB Saunders Company; Georg Thieme Publishers, Stuttgart; 1975. P. 7-115.

Review

Review Questions 
  1. During embryogenesis, how is the shape of auricle attained?
  2. Describe in brief the middle ear spaces. 
  3. What are the immediate relations of cochlea?
  4. What structures occupy the space of the internal acoustic canal?

 

References 
  1. Som PM, Curtin HD, Liu K, and Mafee MF. Current Embryology of the Temporal Bone, Part II: the Middle and External Ears, the Statoacoustic and Facial Nerves, and When Things Go Developmentally Wrong. Neurographics 2016 September/October; 6(5):332–349. 
  2. Marchioni D., Alicandri-Ciufelli M, Villari D, Presutti L. Endoscopic Middle Ear Anatomy. In: Presutti L, Marchioni D, editors, Endoscopic Ear Surgery - vol 1, Principles, Indications, and Techniques. Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt Ltd. p. 39-64.           
  3. Portmann M, Sterkers JM, Charachon R, Choard Ch. The Internal Auditory Meatus - Anatomy, Pathology and Surgery; Churchil Livingstone, Medical Division of Langman Group Ltd. 1975. p.13-34. 
Resources 

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  1. Annual Meeting Webcast (AMW):