open access
Anatomy of the fundus of the internal acoustic meatus — micro-computed tomography study
open access
Abstract
The aim of this paper was to present micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) high resolution images of the fundus of internal acoustic meatus (FIAM) and characterise the normal appearance of its singular areas which are places of passage of numerous anatomical structures. By using micro-CT we obtain detailed volume rendering images presenting topography of the FIAM in 3-dimensional (3D) space. We figured out that 3D reconstructions obtained from micro-CT scans can precisely demonstrate all areas of the FIAM (facial nerve area, cochlear area, superior and inferior vestibular areas, singular foramen). Application of this technique allows finding out new anatomical structures like the foramen of the transverse crest, which is not described in literature. Hence, we estimated the size of each area of the FIAM by measuring their minimal and maximal diameter. In the studied material we did not find out any statistically significant difference between mean diameters calculated for infant and adult individuals.
Abstract
The aim of this paper was to present micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) high resolution images of the fundus of internal acoustic meatus (FIAM) and characterise the normal appearance of its singular areas which are places of passage of numerous anatomical structures. By using micro-CT we obtain detailed volume rendering images presenting topography of the FIAM in 3-dimensional (3D) space. We figured out that 3D reconstructions obtained from micro-CT scans can precisely demonstrate all areas of the FIAM (facial nerve area, cochlear area, superior and inferior vestibular areas, singular foramen). Application of this technique allows finding out new anatomical structures like the foramen of the transverse crest, which is not described in literature. Hence, we estimated the size of each area of the FIAM by measuring their minimal and maximal diameter. In the studied material we did not find out any statistically significant difference between mean diameters calculated for infant and adult individuals.
Keywords
internal acoustic meatus, petrous bone, micro-computed tomography
About this articleTitle
Anatomy of the fundus of the internal acoustic meatus — micro-computed tomography study
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
352-358
Published online
2015-09-02
Page views
1850
Article views/downloads
13016
DOI
10.5603/FM.2015.0053
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2015;74(3):352-358.
Keywords
internal acoustic meatus
petrous bone
micro-computed tomography
Authors
M. Kozerska
J. Skrzat
