Minimal distances between temporal bone structures and their mutual correlations.
BACKGROUND
The minimal distances between basic temporal bone structures limit the operating field in ear surgery. The aim of the present study was to perform measurements on the minimal distances between key structures of the temporal bone and to investigate possible correlations between given structures.


METHODS
The author removed 100 temporal bones from subjects of both sexes, across a range of age groups and from both sides of the body. Minimal distances were measured between the following structures: the lateral semicircular canal (SC), the tympanic ring (TR), the hard meninges of the middle cranial fossa (HM), the facial nerve (FN), the upper bulb of the internal jugular vein (JB) and the internal carotid artery (CA), collected in the appropriate pairs. The samples were measured using an operating microscope equipped with a graduated eyepiece.


RESULTS
The results are presented in various categories according to age, sex, and side of the body. Five pairs of distances were found to be significantly shorter in younger children (group I) than in older children and adults (group II).


CONCLUSIONS
Ear surgery in younger children demands much more care than in older children and adults, especially regarding situations when the jugular bulb is in the operating field.
Wysocki
Jarosław
J
Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University, ul. Skierniewicka 21 m. 58, 01-230 Warsaw, Poland. clintrial@il.waw.pl
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology*