title: Morphological Variations of Middle Ear Ossicles and its Clinical Implications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The middle ear ossicles form a semi rigid chain in the middle of the ear for conduction and amplification of sound waves from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear. Although, our knowledge of the ear ossicles dates back to the 15thcentury, and various studies have been carried out on their morphometry, morphology, anomalies, embryology, function and structure throughout the world, information about the morphology of middle ear ossicles is meagre in Indian subjects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To find out the morphological variations of middle ear ossicles of right and left sides.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, the middle ear ossicles were bilaterally dissected out from the temporal bones obtained from 26 cadaveric heads from the Department of Anatomy under a surgical oto-microscope with micro instruments. Morphological variations were studied under the magnification of the operating microscope. Attempt was also made to evaluate the clinical implications related to such variants and compare the results with those observations made in other parts of India and abroad. Age variation was not considered as the ossicles reach their full size at birth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was observed that the stapes was the most variable and the incus as the most stable ossicle so far as morphological variations are concerned. Malleus presented variations in the free ends of manubrium, lateral process and anterior process. Variation in morphology of stapes did not follow any fixed pattern.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is expected that this work may also inspire many others to continue temporal bone dissection with a view to gather more ossicles which might be preserved in ossicular banks by following proper sterilization methods for future use as homografts in ossiculoplasty. These harvested ossicles may be used to replace eroded middle ear ossicles as an alternative to manufactured prosthesis.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Calcutta National Medical College , Kolkata, West Bengal, India .
authors.forename: Ritaban
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Calcutta National Medical College , Kolkata, West Bengal, India .
authors.forename: Phalguni
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Srimani
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research , Kolkata, West Bengal, India .
authors.forename: Ardhendu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazumdar
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Calcutta National Medical College , Kolkata, West Bengal, India .
authors.forename: Sibani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazumdar
keywords: Cadaver; Prenatal infection; Prosthesis; Tympanic cavity