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Surgical anatomy of the anterior supralabyrinthine air cell tract

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 June 2011

M B Gluth ,
M A Cohen ,
P L Friedland  and
M D Atlas
M B Gluth*
Affiliation:
Division of Otology and Neurotology, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA
M A Cohen
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Universidad de Chile, Clinica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
P L Friedland
Affiliation:
Ear Sciences Centre, University of Western Australia School of Surgery and Ear Science Institute Australia, Perth, Australia
M D Atlas
Affiliation:
Ear Sciences Centre, University of Western Australia School of Surgery and Ear Science Institute Australia, Perth, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Michael B Gluth, Division of Otology and Neurotology, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., 543, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, 72205 Fax: +1 501 686 8029 E-mail: mbgluth@uams.edu
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Abstract

Introduction:

In order to safely explore the medial wall of the attic, a working knowledge of the anatomy of the anterior supralabyrinthine air cell tract is required.

Aim:

To clarify the surgically relevant anatomical relationships that comprise the anterior supralabyrinthine air cell tract.

Materials and methods:

Surgical dissection of 10 fresh cadaveric temporal bones was undertaken, including measurement of distances between the key anterior supralabyrinthine anatomical landmarks.

Results:

The following mean distances were calculated: the labyrinthine segment between the geniculate ganglion and the ampullated end of the superior semicircular canal, 2.33 mm (range 1.75–2.75); the tympanic segment between the anterior margin of the oval window niche and the geniculate ganglion, 3.58 mm (range 3.25–4); and from the tympanic segment adjacent to the anterior margin of the oval window niche to the labyrinthine segment adjacent to the superior semicircular canal, 3.48 mm (range 3–4.25).

Conclusion:

The key anatomical landmarks of the anterior supralabyrinthine air cell tract define a distinct triangular segment of bone, knowledge of which is helpful in surgical dissection.

Keywords

MastoidTemporal BoneCholesteatomaFacial NerveGeniculate Ganglion
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 10 , October 2011 , pp. 1009 - 1013
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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