Surgical anatomy of the round window with special reference to cochlear implantation.
When the multi-channel cochlear implant electrode is inserted into the scala tympani through the round window the operation is best performed via a posterior tympanotomy. The view of the round window membrane, however, is incomplete because of its orientation and the fact that it has a conical shape. Nevertheless, a good view along the basal turn is obtained after the antero-inferior overhang of the round window niche and the crista fenestrae have been removed. It might be damaging to drill away the postero-superior overhang as the osseous spiral lamina lies extremely close to the round window membrane.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D003051:Cochlea / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000601:surgery; D004566:Electrodes; D006801:Humans; D012405:Round Window, Ear / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology