Serial anatomy of the auditory tube: correlation to CT and MR imaging

Serial anatomy of the auditory tube (AT), was studied in nine anatomical specimens, according to transverse, coronal and specific oblique planes and was correlated to computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In order to assess the orientation of the oblique plane, parallel to the AT, 30 AT specimens were catheterized: the mean angle between the AT and the Virchow plane or the bony palate was 34 degrees. The bony portion is better explored with CT, whereas the cartilaginous portion is better studied with MR. The cartilage, posterior and medial, is closed anteriorly and inferiorly by a fibrous membrane (lamina membranacea), which is not seen on CT or MR images. The AT is closely related to the tensor veli palatini muscle (TVPM) anterolaterally, and the levator veli palatini muscle inferiorly (LVPM); both are well imaged on the oblique plane. They are bounded by fascias: the submucosal fascia (tela submucosa) is medial, the pharyngobasilar fascia runs between the TVPM and the LVPM and the auditory tube; the fascia of Weber-Liel is lateral to the TVPM. Fascias are difficult to distinguish from the surrounding fatty tissue and the adjacent muscles. The auditory tube and its muscles, forming the lateral wall of the nasopharynx, are well studied by CT and MR imaging, using the transverse or, preferably oblique plane, together with coronal plane.