title: Surgical anatomy of the human middle ear: an insight into cochlear implant surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research was designed to aid practical otologic studies of the human middle ear. The topographic anatomy access of the middle ear was described with special focus to the cochlear implant procedure. It was conducted in an attempt to elucidate factors that would ultimately determine the ease of insertion of an electrode array.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen right and 12 left temporal bones were dissected under the surgical microscope. After performing appropriate incisions, the distances between the stapedius muscle tendon, incus long crus and the cochleostomy were measured with the help of a digital microscope (Dino-Lite plus(®)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After performing statistical analysis, we found that strong relationship exists in the distances between the measured anatomical landmarks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microscopic anatomical studies of the temporal bone are essential to safely perform surgical intervention within the middle ear. The results shows that morphometric data concerning different anatomical structures inside the middle ear, particularly distances, is an important contribution towards the planning of safe surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Anatomy, FOB/USP, Av. Octávio Pinheiro Brisolla, 9-75, Aeroporto, 17012-901, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. acastro@fob.usp.br
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Castro Rodrigues
authors.forename: André Luis
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Shinohara
authors.forename: Jesus Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Andreo
authors.forename: Rogério Leone
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Buchaim
authors.forename: Farooque Jamaluddin
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans