The facial nerve coursing inferior to the oval window.
Congenital anomalies of the facial nerve are of great concern to the otologic surgeon. Nine cases from the literature are reviewed and three of our own are reported in which the facial nerve coursed inferior to the oval window. All cases were explored for congenital conductive hearing impairments and were accompanied by severe stapes abnormalities.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology*; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013199:Stapes / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013201:Stapes Surgery