title: [Anatomy of the auditory tube: CT scan and MRI aspect].
abstract: The auditory tube is a bony and cartilaginous canal which connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. The bony portion (protympanum), explored by computed tomography, is cone shaped, with a posterior base. The main relations are: the intrapetrous carotid, the tensor tympani muscle, the middle cerebral fossa and temporo-mandibular joint. The fibrocartilaginous portion is explored by computed tomography and mainly by magnetic resonance. The fibrocartilaginous tube is posteromedial; its upper margin is curled outward to form the roof of the cartilaginous tube. Anterioly and Laterally, the auditory tube is closed by a fibrous membrane extending along the inferior surface of the auditory tube to form its floor. The auditory tube is in contact with two main muscle: the tensor veli palatini anterolateral and the levator veli palatini posterolateral and inferior. They are bounded by fascia: the intrapharyngeal fascia is medial, the pharyngo basilar fascia (salpingopharyngeal fascia of Trölstch, is between the tensor and levator veli palatini muscles; the fascia of Weber Liel is lateral to the tensor veli palatini. The auditory tube and its muscles form the lateral wall of the rhinopharynx and prevent the extension of a pathologic process to the para pharyngeal and infratemporal spaces.
authors.affiliation: Service de Radiologie Ouest, Hôpital C. Huriez, CHRU Lille.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gaillandre
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaillet
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Francke
mesh_terms: D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
vernacular_title: Anatomie de la trompe auditive: aspect tomodensitométrique et IRM.