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The anatomical relationship between the eustachian tube and petrous internal carotid artery
Author(s) -
Ozturk Kayhan,
Snyderman Carl H.,
Gardner Paul A.,
FernandezMiranda Juan C.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.23679
Subject(s) - internal carotid artery , eustachian tube , petrous bone , anatomy , temporal bone , medicine , anatomical landmark , radiology , middle ear
Objectives/Hypothesis: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the eustachian tube (ET) and petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) in whole‐mount human temporal bone specimens. Study Design: Descriptive study. Methods: Histologically prepared serial sections of 10 adult temporal bones were included in the study. Five specific landmarks were selected to evaluate relationships between the petrous segment of the ICA and the ET. The selected distances were measured using computer software (Metamorph 7.5.2.0; Molecular Devices, LLC, Sunnyvale, CA). Results: The ET and the ICA get close posteriorly, and the bony part of the ET and the ICA generally share the same wall. Conclusions: The junctional part of the ET may be a safe landmark to identify and protect the ICA during endoscopic endonasal surgery of the cranial base. Knowledge of the anatomical relationships of the ET and petrous part of the ICA, as well as their relationship with other surgical and radiological landmarks, would be useful to surgeons. Laryngoscope, 2012