[The temporal bone]

Abstract

Imaging of the temporal bone by high resolution CT scan has become more and more accurate in recent years. Coronal slices are particularly important. We present the anatomy of four temporal bones embedded in plastic material. Coronal sections with a thickness of 2 mm were taken, radiographed and their density measured. Particular interest was given to the three-dimensional relations as well as to the density of bone of important morphological structures such as the labyrinth, middle ear, facial canal, sigmoid sinus, carotid canal and the mastoid. A low density of bone corresponds to the colour blue, a high density to black. Because of the high resolution of the method it was possible to image small and fine structures such as the auditory ossicles, and the perilymphatic and endolymphatic ducts. A three-dimensional reconstruction may well be possible in the future, and the possibilities of this method are discussed.