[Endoscopic anatomy of the tympanic cavity]

Development of modern diagnostic procedure requires inframacroscopic description of tympanic cavity. This description has to suit the special requirements of diagnostic endoscopy, too. The authors made an attempt to describe clinical anatomy of the tympanic cavity. For endoscopic investigation transtympanic, transtubal and transmastoidal approaches were used, out of which the transmastoidal has the least clinical importance. Using the transtympanic approach, detailed anatomical description of the medial wall, the auditory ossicles and the stapedius muscle can be given. Using the transtubal approach, the epitympanic region, stapedius and tensor tympani muscle and two major nerves, chorda tympani and tympanic nerve can be also investigated. Using transmastoidal approach, auditory ossicles were seen, but it was possible to identify lateral part of epitympanic recess, as well.