Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

Dissection of left ear from posterior aspect

Tympanic cavity and labyrinth, posterosuperior view

Image #62-4

KEYWORDS: Bones cartilage joints, Ear.

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Higher resolution images are available for a fee. Contact Drew Bourn, PhD, MLIS.

Dissection of left ear from posterior aspect

Tympanic cavity and labyrinth, posterosuperior view

The relationship between the posterior semicircular canal, which was seen in the previous view, and other structures of the inner and middle ear is displayed. The superior semicircular canal is not directly visible but lies in the plane of the ridge of bone (16, upper pointer) which has been left in the dissected area. The tegmen tympani has been cut away to expose the ear ossicles within the tympanic cavity.

1 .	Middle meningeal artery (cut off)
2 .	Geniculate ganglion
3 .	Malleus
4 .	Upper pointer: Incus Lower pointer: Mastoid cells
5 .	Lateral semicircular canal (opened)
6 .	Auricle
7 .	Posterior pyramidal surface
8 .	Upper pointer: Trochlear nerve (IV) Lower pointer: Oculomotor nerve (III)
9 .	Upper pointer: Hypophysis Lower pointer: Internal carotid artery
10 .	Abducens nerve (VI)
11 .	Trigeminal nerve (V)
12 .	Position of cochlea
13 .	Internal acoustic meatus
14 .	Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)
15 .	Right pointer: Facial nerve (VII) Left pointer: Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) (vestibular part)
16 .	Upper pointer: Bone supporting superior semicircular canal Lower pointer: Posterior semicircular canal (opened)
17 .	Upper pointer: Glossopharyngeal (IX) nerve Lower pointer: Accessory nerve (XI)
18 .	Atlas articular surface (superior)