Dissection of left ear from posterior aspect

Posterior surface of petrous part of temporal bone

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Image #62-2

Dissection of left ear from posterior aspect

Posterior surface of petrous part of temporal bone

The dura mater has been removed from the posterior surface of the temporal bone except along the venous sinuses. The endolymphatic sac was not identified although fibrous tissue which protrudes from the vestibular aqueduct (6) indicates the usual location of the sac.

1. Middle meningeal artery within middle cranial fossa
2. Arcuate eminence
3. Superior petrosal sinus
4. Internal acoustic meatus
5. Transverse sinus
6. Fibrous tissue protruding from external aperture of vestibular aqueduct
7. Transverse sinus (sigmoid portion)
8. Jugular ganglion of vagus nerve
9. Mastoid emissary
10. Basilar plexus
11. Trigeminal nerve (V) entering Meckel's cave
12. Abducens nerve (VI)
13. Facial nerve (VII)
14. Nervous intermedius of (VII)
15. Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) (upper pointer, cochlear part; lower pointer, vestibular part)
16. Inferior petrosal sinus
17. Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
18. Vagus nerve (X)
19. Bulbar root of accessory nerve (XI)
20. Spinal root of accessory nerve (XI)
21. Hypoglossal nerve (XII )
22. Posterior longitudinal ligament
23. Upper pointer: Occipital sinus Lower pointer: Vertebral artery