Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
Extracting the Cochlea from a Human Temporal Bone: A Cadaveric Protocol
Published on: August 18, 2023
Analysis of unilateral sclerotic temporal bone: how does the sclerosis change the mastoid pneumatization
Dong-Hee Lee1, Min-Kyo Jung, Young-Hwa Yoo
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 65-1 Gumoh-Dong, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-Do 480-717, South Korea. leedh0814@catholic.ac.kr
Background:
Some disorders, such as otitis media and Eustachian tube dysfunction, may cause the temporal bone to become sclerotic. A sclerotic temporal bone has the tendency to shrink. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphologic changes that result from sclerosis of the temporal bone.
Methods:
We measured 9 variables on 2 axial images, and 8 variables on 2 coronal images in healthy ears and diseased ears in 37 patients with unilateral chronic otitis media. We also measured the volume of mastoid pneumatization.
Results:
The distance from sigmoid sinus to Henle's spine was correlated to the degree of volume reduction, and it accounted for about 17.7% of the total variation in volume reduction. There was no difference in the sigmoid sinus type in comparisons between sclerotic and pneumatic mastoids.
Conclusions:
The sclerosis of the temporal bone was observed to reduce the volume of the mastoid pneumatization. However, a large portion of the volume reduction may result from the sclerotic change in the air cell system, rather than from shrinkage of the mastoid bone. Therefore, the location of surgically-important structures, in the middle and inner ear, is only rarely changed in sclerotic temporal bone.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cranial Bones: Lateral View
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
01:22Sutures of the Skull
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
01:16Anatomy of the Ear