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Review of Temporal Bone Microanatomy

Aqueducts, Canals, Clefts and Nerves

Clinical Neuroradiology volume 30, pages 209–219 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Temporal bone microanatomy is a common source of consternation for radiologists. Serpentine foramina, branching cranial nerves, and bony canals containing often clinically relevant but often miniscule arterial branches may all cause confusion, even among radiologists familiar with temporal bone imaging. In some cases, the tiniest structures may be occult or poorly visualized, even on thin-slice computed tomography (CT) images. Consequently, such structures are often either ignored or mistaken for pathologic entities. Yet even the smallest temporal bone structures have significant anatomic and pathologic importance. This paper reviews the anatomy and function of the temporal bone aqueducts, canals, clefts, and nerves, as well as the relevant developmental, inflammatory, and neoplastic processes that affect each structure.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 723 6th St. SW, 55902, Rochester, MN, USA

    John C. Benson, Laurence Eckel, Julie Guerin, V. Michelle Silvera, Felix Diehn, Theodore Passe & John I. Lane

  2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Matthew L. Carlson

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  1. John C. Benson
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  2. Laurence Eckel
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Correspondence to John C. Benson.

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J.C. Benson, L. Eckel, J. Guerin, V. M. Silvera, F. Diehn, T. Passe, M.L. Carlson and J.I. Lane declare that they have no competing interests.

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Benson, J.C., Eckel, L., Guerin, J. et al. Review of Temporal Bone Microanatomy. Clin Neuroradiol 30, 209–219 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00062-019-00864-3

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Keywords

  • Temporal bone
  • Anatomy
  • Clefts
  • Canals
  • Nerves