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Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual
Published on: January 11, 2018
Endoscopic Anatomy of the Protympanum
Nicholas Jufas1, Daniele Marchioni2, Muaaz Tarabichi3
1Kolling Deafness Research Centre, University of Sydney and Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Discipline of Surgery, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Endoscopic Ear Surgery (SEES) Research Group, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract:
The protympanum, a final common pathway between the tympanic cavity and external environment, is gaining relevance due to the ease and completeness of visualization with angled endoscopes. Two primary conformations are described, quadrangular and triangular, and new anatomic structures such as the protiniculum, subtensor recess, and protympanic spine are defined. Surgical relevance of the protympanum is described with respect to ventilation, cholesteatoma, cerebrospinal fluid leak, otic neuralgia, and surgical access to the eustachian tube.
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