Correlation of high-resolution computed tomography and gross anatomic sections of the temporal bone: II. Vestibular...

High-resolution computed tomography (CT) of isolated temporal bones was performed in the transaxial, coronal, and sagittal planes at 1.5-mm intervals. The temporal bones were then sectioned at 2.0-mm intervals in planes parallel to the CT scans. The structures making up the vestibular apparatus were identified, and the planes in which each is best visualized were selected for the illustrations. The vestibule, oval window, tympanic cavity, and tympanic portion of the facial nerve are best seen in the transaxial and coronal planes; the arch of the superior semicircular canal in the transaxial plane and its limbs in the coronal plane; the arch of the posterior semicircular canal in the coronal and sagittal planes and its limbs in the transaxial plane; and the common crus in the sagittal plane. The horseshoe-shaped lateral semicircular canal is displayed in the transaxial plane, and the relationship of its lateral limb to the tympanic segment of the facial nerve is best demonstrated in the sagittal plane. The ampullae of all three canals can be appreciated equally well in all three planes.