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Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Ear01:16

Anatomy of the Ear

Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...
Cranial Bones: Lateral View01:27

Cranial Bones: Lateral View

The lateral view of the cranium is dominated by temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
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...
Nose and Nasal Cavity01:24

Nose and Nasal Cavity

The nose is composed of an observable exterior segment (external nose) and an internal segment within the skull known as the nasal cavity (internal nose). The external nose, visible on the face, consists of a framework of bone and hyaline cartilage enveloped in skin and muscle and lined with a mucous membrane. This structure is supported by the frontal bone, nasal bones, and maxillary bone and is supplemented by a cartilaginous framework comprising the septal nasal cartilage, lateral nasal...
Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract01:29

Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract

The upper respiratory tract plays a vital role in the respiratory system, comprising several structures that facilitate air intake and prepare air for the lungs. It also serves as the first line of defense against pathogens and particles. This tract includes the nose and nasal cavity, the oral cavity, the paranasal sinuses, and the pharynx, each with specific functions and features.
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract.
The Auditory Ossicles01:11

The Auditory Ossicles

The auditory ossicles of the middle ear transmit sounds from the air as vibrations to the fluid-filled cochlea. The auditory ossicles consist of two malleus (hammer) bones, two incus (anvil) bones, and two stapes (stirrups), one on each side. These bones develop during the fetal stage and are the ones to ossify first. They are fully mature at birth and do not grow afterward.
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...
Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View01:14

Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View

The superior view of the cranium shows the frontal and paired parietal bones.
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...

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Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual
10:40

Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual

Published on: January 11, 2018

Superior mesotympanic sinus.

James J Holt1

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449, USA.

The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|March 12, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A newly identified sinus, the superior mesotympanic sinus, was discovered in the posterior tympanum. This anatomical finding is crucial for surgeons to avoid potential facial nerve injury during middle ear disease removal.

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Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Anatomy
  • Surgical Anatomy

Background:

  • The posterior tympanum is a complex region of the middle ear.
  • Detailed anatomical knowledge is essential for surgical procedures.
  • Previously undescribed anatomical variations may exist.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To precisely define the anatomy of the posterior tympanum.
  • To investigate a previously undescribed sinus within this region.
  • To document the anatomical relationships of this sinus.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopic examination of 49 human temporal bones.
  • Systematic dissection and documentation of the posterior tympanum.
  • Measurement of sinus depth and opening, and assessment of facial nerve proximity.

Main Results:

  • Discovery of the superior mesotympanic sinus in the superior posterior tympanum.
  • Sinus present in 86% of specimens (42/49), with depths ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm.
  • The facial nerve forms the superior border of the sinus; dehiscence noted in 9 cases.

Conclusions:

  • The superior mesotympanic sinus is a significant anatomical feature in the posterior tympanum.
  • Awareness of this sinus aids surgeons in disease removal and prevention of facial nerve injury.
  • Knowledge of this sinus enhances surgical confidence and patient safety.