title: Anatomic importance of the retrofacial air tract.
abstract: The retrofacial air tract is a constant and relevant anatomic landmark for the temporal bone surgeon. By purposefully dissecting this space, one is able to safely identify the facial nerve, endolymphatic sac, and jugular bulb. The retrofacial air tract also provides access to the petrous apex. Forty temporal bones of varying degrees of pneumatization were dissected in order to study the retrofacial air tract. A well-developed air tract was easily identified in all specimens. We describe our anatomic findings and discuss the surgical relevance and important of the retrofacial air tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St. Louis University School of Medicine, MO 63110-0250.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Benecke
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuczer
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000601:surgery; D004712:Endolymphatic Sac / Q000601:surgery; D005154:Facial Nerve; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007760:Labyrinth Supporting Cells; D008297:Male; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*