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The cochlea and the carotid canal
C Muren1, K Wadin, H F Wilbrand
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Sabbatsberg's Sjukhus, Stockholm, Sweden.
Acta Radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987)
|January 1, 1990
Summary
The carotid canal and cochlea vary in their proximity, with the separating bone wall ranging from 0.2 mm to over 6 mm. This study assessed normal variations in their relationship using temporal bone models.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Otology
- Neurotology
Background:
- The carotid canal transmits the internal carotid artery and is anatomically close to the cochlea's basal turn.
- The bony thickness separating these structures exhibits variability, potentially impacting surgical and clinical considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically assess the topographic relationship and normal variation between the carotid canal and the basal turn of the cochlea.
- To quantify the range of distances and bony wall thickness between these two critical structures in human temporal bones.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 173 plastic casts derived from human temporal bone specimens.
- Systematic measurement and assessment of the spatial relationship between the carotid canal and the cochlea's basal turn.
Main Results:
- Significant variation in the distance and intervening bony wall thickness between the carotid canal and the cochlea was observed.
- The bony wall thickness ranged from as little as 0.2 mm to over 6 mm in different specimens.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the normal topographic variation between the carotid canal and cochlea is crucial for otologic and neurotologic procedures.
- Multidirectional tomography or CT imaging can effectively visualize this anatomical region and its variations.