The foetal development of the human osseous labyrinth in a computed tomographic study

Abstract

A CT study was performed on 8 foetuses aged between 20 and 38 weeks. In foetuses at the 20^th week the semicircular canals, the spiral canal of the cochlea and the initial (labyrinthine) part of the facial canal are visible. At week 24 the tympanic part of the facial canal is observed. In the 31^st week the cochlea is divided into 2 compartments, and in the 38^th week the vestibular aqueduct and osseous labyrinth are seen.