title: [Applied anatomy study related to implants in the temporal bone region].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the bone anatomic structure of the temporal bone region and provide reference in implant surgery in this region.
  
  
  METHODS
  Manual quantitative measurements of the bone structure were performed in 73 skull specimens (38 from male and 35 from female).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the area of 8:00-11:00 (right ear) and 16-22 mm from center of the external auditory canal in the temporal bone region, the minimum bone thickness is as follows: 11:00: 6.77 mm in male, 5.18 mm in female; 10:00: 8.60 mm in male, 6.77 mm in female; 9:00: 9.85 mm in male, 7.30 mm in female; 8:00: 14.50 mm in male, 10.80 mm in female.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  (1) In the temporal bone region, the area of 8:00-11:00 (right ear) and 16-22 mm from center of the external auditory canal offers sufficient bone for implants. The length of implants should be as follows: 11:00: 4-5 mm in male, 3-4 mm in female; 10:00: 4-7 mm in male, 4-5 mm in female; 9:00: 4-8 mm in male, 4-6 mm in female; 8:00: 4-12 mm in male, 4-8 mm in female. (2) Towards the external auditory canal and from 12:00 to 11:00, 10:00 to 8:00, the bone became thicker, so, if no ample bone is available in the initial site, the location should be shifted anti-clockwise in right side (clockwise in left side) and closer to the external auditory canal. (3) The differences between male and female are statistically significant in the temporal bone region, so they should be treated distinguishingly during the clinical practices.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Prosthodontics, Stomatological College, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
authors.forename: Xue-gang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Yi-min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Chang-xu
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Zou
mesh_terms: D004424:Ear Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology*