title: External cortical landmarks and measurements for the temporal horn: Anatomic study with application to surgery of the temporal lobe.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The location of the temporal horn is important to neurosurgeons during procedures such as amygdalohippocampectomy and intraventricular electrode placement for temporal lobe seizure monitoring. However, sometimes the temporal horn is difficult to localize, especially without neuronavigation. The authors aimed to better localize this structure using superficial anatomic landmarks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two brain halves were dissected from the midline, and the fornix identified and followed toward the left and right temporal horns. Once the temporal horn was isolated from a mesial approach, 6-cm long needles were placed into its anterior and posterior walls of the temporal horn and passed laterally from the axial plane to the cortical surface. Pin exit sites were marked externally and measurements taken between the outer temporal lobe cortex and the underlying temporal horn.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistical differences were noted between left and right sides. The temporal horn was generally directed anteroinferiorly and best marked externally by the inferior temporal sulcus. The mean length of the temporal horn was 4.4 cm. Mean distance from anterior temporal tip to anterior wall of the temporal horn was 3.3 cm. The mean distance from the anterior temporal tip to the posterior wall of the temporal horn was 7 cm. The anterior wall of the temporal horn was a mean of 3 mm superior to the inferior temporal sulcus. The posterior wall was a mean of 1.2 cm superior to the inferior temporal sulcus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These landmarks and measurements may help neurosurgeons better localize this part of the lateral ventricular system.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, USA ; Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada.
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.affiliation: Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cohen-Gadol
keywords: Anatomy; landmarks; lateral ventricles; neurosurgery; temporal lobe