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We have created an atlas of the temporal bone that is an educating tool for studying the normal anatomy of the petrous bone based on a MDCT exam of the axial and coronal of the ear and the petrous bone. Anatomical structures are visible as interactive labeled images.

Cross sectional anatomy: CT of the petrous bone

An axial and coronal bone multidetector computed tomographic imaging of the temporal bone was performed on a normal subject.
Data and DICOM images archived on the PACS (Picture Archiving and Communicating System) were processed and exported as JPEG images.
The software Macromedia Flash and Adobe Photoshop allow us the development of an atlas based application with a suitable functionality and user interface for exploration of the temporal bone and skull base.
Anatomical structures have been labeled according to the Terminologia Anatomica.

Anatomy of the temporal bone: how to visualize anatomic labels

This module is a comprehensive and affordable learning tool for residents and medical students and especially for neuroradiologists and otolaryngologists.
It provides images in the axial and coronal planes, allowing the user to review and learn anatomy interactively. Images are labeled, providing a useful teaching resource. The test mode allows an evaluation of user progress.
The horizontal menu allows an access to the groups of anatomical structures:
- External ear
- Ossicles
- Tympanic cavity
- Bony labyrinth anterior
- Bony labyrinth posterior
- Temporal bone
- Nerves
As the cursor is moved over an anatomic area, that area is labeled and highlighted: this allows to the viewer the study the bones of the skull base as the petrous part of the temporal bone.
The CT is a particularly powerful exam for studying of the five bony parts to the T-bone:
- Squamous : forms lateral wall of middle cranial fossa
- Mastoid
- Petrous : contains inner ear, internal auditory canal (IAC), petrous apex
- Tympanic : forms most of bony external ear
- Styloid process
The vertical left menu provides cross references with axial, coronal and sagittal images of the T-bone, with anatomical graphics based on a three dimensional (3D) model.

click to enlarge

List of labels (English - also available in French and Latin (terminologia anatomica)):

Aditus to mastoid antrum
Anatomical structures
Anterior bony ampulla
Anterior limb
Anterior process
Anterior semicircular canal
Antitragus
Arcuate eminence
Articular tubercle
Auditory tube
Auricle; Pinna
Base of cochlea
Base of stapes; Footplate
Body of incus
Body of sphenoid bone
Bony labyrinth Anterior
Bony labyrinth Posterior
Carotid canal
Cavity of concha
Chorda tympani
Chorda tympani
Cochlear aqueduct
Cochlear cupula
Cochlear nerve
Common bony limb
Condylar process
Crest of round window
Crus of helix
Epitympanic recess
Epitympanum
External acoustic meatus
External acoustic opening
External ear
Facial nerve VII (labyrinthic part)
Facial nerve VII (mastoid part)
Facial nerve VII (tympanic part)
Falciform crest
Foramen lacerum
Foramen ovale
Foramen spinosum
Fossa of oval window
Fossa of round window
Geniculate ganglion
Greater petrosal nerve
Groove for greater petrosal nerve
Groove for lesser petrosal nerve
Groove for sigmoid sinus
Groove for superior petrosal sinus
Handle of malleus
Head of malleus
Head of stapes
Helix
Hypoglossal canal
Hypotympanumum
Inferior part of vestibular nerve
Intermediate nerve
Internal acoustic meatus
Internal acoustic opening
Jugular foramen
Jugular fossa
Jugular wall; Floor
Lateral bony ampulla
Lateral process
Lateral semicircular canal
Lenticular process
Lobule of auricle; Lobe of ear
Long limb of incus
Mandibular fossa
Mastoid antrum
Mastoid cells
Mastoid process
Membranous labyrinth
Mesotympanum
Modiolus of cochlea
Neck of malleus
Nerve to stapedius
Nerves
Occipital bone
Opening of cochlear canaliculus
Opening of vestibular canaliculus
Ossicles
Other structures
Oval window
Petro-mastoid canal
Petrous part of temporal bone
Posterior bony ampulla
Posterior limb
Posterior semicircular canal
Prominence of facial canal
Prominence of lateral semicircular canal
Promontory
Protympanumum
Pyramidal eminence
Ramus of mandible
Round window
Short limb
Sinus tympani
Spine of sphenoid bone
Squamous part
Stapedius
Styloid process
Stylomastoid foramen
Subarcuate fossa
Superior part of vestibular nerve
Tegmen tympani
Tegmental roof
Temporal bone
Tensor tympani
Tragus
Trigeminal impression
Tympanic canaliculus
Tympanic cavity
Tympanic cells
Tympanic membrane
Tympanic nerve
Tympanic part
Vestibular ganglion
Vestibule
Vestibulocochlear nerve VIII
Wall of Gellé
Zygomatic process

Online comments and discussions.

Ask questions, write comments and remarks:

wrong labeling, February 16, 2008

By Sundip Patel

On the tympanic and mastoid portions of the facial nerve.....the labeling is switched.

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Facial nerve, February 18, 2008

By pablo grande

I agree with you! These labeled estructures are switched.

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Usefulness, January 31, 2008

By Richard Suss

Either you haven't explained it very well or it is useless. You don't say HOW to find the useful images. You just give a few useless sample sections.

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