Imaging findings of the developing temporal bone in fetal specimens.
OBJECTIVE
To trace the development of the normal fetal temporal bone by means of plain radiography, MR, and CT.


METHODS
Eighteen formalin-fixed fetal specimens, 13.5 to 24.4 weeks' gestational age, were examined with a mammographic plain film technique, CT, and MR imaging at 1.5 T. Temporal bone development and ossification were assessed.


RESULTS
The membranous labyrinth grows with amazing rapidity and attains adult size by the middle of the gestation period. The cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals are very prominent and easily recognized on MR images. The otic capsule develops from a cartilage model. Ossification of the otic capsule proceeds rapidly between 18 and 24 weeks from multiple ossification centers that replace the cartilaginous framework. The mastoid, internal auditory canal, vestibular aqueduct, and external auditory canal continue to grow after birth.


CONCLUSIONS
The study of fetal developmental anatomy may lead to a better understanding of congenital disorders of the ear. Faster MR scanning techniques may provide a method for in utero evaluation of the fetal temporal bone.
Nemzek
W R
WR
Department of Radiology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, USA.
Brodie
H A
HA
Chong
B W
BW
Babcook
C J
CJ
Hecht
S T
ST
Salamat
S
S
Ellis
W G
WG
Seibert
J A
JA
D002356:Cartilage / Q000196:embryology; D003051:Cochlea / Q000196:embryology; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000196:embryology*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000196:embryology*; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000151:congenital; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008327:Mammography; D008416:Mastoid / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D010012:Osteogenesis; D010579:Petrous Bone / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000196:embryology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000196:embryology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014723:Vestibular Aqueduct / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000196:embryology