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Lane Medical Library

Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

Dissection of ear from lateral aspect

Left tympanic cavity, lateral view

Image #60-4

KEYWORDS: Bones cartilage joints, Ear, Peripheral nervous system.

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Dissection of ear from lateral aspect
Left tympanic cavity, lateral view
The tympanic membrane has been removed and more of the mastoid and petrous of the temporal bone resected. The facial nerve (17) and chorda tympani (7,16,18) have been exposed. The continuity of the tympanic antrum (14) with the mastoid air cells is visible.
  1. Base of peduncle (in background)
  2. Upper pointer: Superior ligament of malleus Lower pointer: Capitulum of malleus
  3. Upper pointer: Process of anterior malleus (covered by anterior malleolar plica) Lower pointer: Lateral process malleus (the superior recess, Prussak's space, is located just above this process and is closed laterally by a thin downward extension of squamous bone known as the scutum)
  4. Petrotympanic fissure
  5. Manubrium of malleus
  6. Upper pointer: Mandibular nerve (V) Lower pointer: Middle meningeal artery
  7. Chorda tympani (passing inferiorly to join lingual nerve)
  8. Tensor veli palatini muscle
  9. Lingual nerve
  10. Alar fascia
  11. Styloglossus muscle
  12. Arcuate eminence
  13. Epitympanic recess
  14. Tympanic antrum
  15. Left pointer: Body incus Right pointer: Posterior ligament of incus
  16. Left pointer: Chorda tympani within tympanic cavity Right pointer: Tendon of stapedius muscle
  17. Facial nerve (VII) within facial canal
  18. Chorda tympani within canaliculus
  19. Left pointer: Anterior crus of stapes Right pointer: Tympanic sinus
  20. Upper pointer: Fenestrated cochlear fossa (separated from tympanic sinus above by promontory) Lower pointer: Promontory (tympanic plexus visible beneath mucosa)
  21. Tympanic cells of jugular wall of tympanic cavity
  22. Position of stylomastoid foramen (opened)
  23. Mastoid process (dissected)