Histologic processing and examination of a 4,000-year-old human temporal bone.
We believe this is the first report of a mummy temporal bone successfully processed by decalcification and serial sectioning. The condition of the bone required modifications of standard processing technique. Examination of the sections revealed evidence of antemortem otitis media and mastoiditis. The technique described should prove useful in otopathological studies of other paleontological specimens.
D006652:Histological Techniques; D049690:History, Ancient; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology; D009106:Mummies; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology; D010163:Paleontology; D010164:Paleopathology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology*