Petrous part of the temporal bone on a CT Scan: normal anatomy

Petrous part of the temporal bone on a CT Scan: normal anatomy

Petrous part of the temporal bone on a CT Scan: normal anatomy

  • Antoine MICHEAU, MD , Denis HOA, MD
    • Antoine MICHEAU, MD : 2 Allée Charles Darwin, 34170 Castelnau-le-lez
    • Denis HOA, MD : 2 Allée Charles Darwin, 34170 Castelnau-le-lez
  • Publication date: Aug 8, 2008 | Last update: Mar 18, 2025
  • https://doi.org/10.37019/e-anatomy/167 ISSN 2534-5079

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

 

Cross-sectional anatomy: CT of the petrous bone

An axial and coronal bone multislice computed tomography 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. Adobe Animate and Adobe Photoshop allowed us to develop a functional and user-friendly atlas-based application for exploration of the temporal bone and skull base.
Anatomical structures were labeled according to the Terminologia Anatomica.

 

Interactive atlas of the temporal bone and ear : axial slice with all structures labeled
Interactive atlas of the temporal bone and ear : axial slice with all structures labeled

 

Anatomy of the temporal bone: how to view the anatomical labels

This module is a comprehensive and affordable learning tool for residents and medical students and specially 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 source. The quiz mode allows an evaluation of user's progress.

The horizontal menu gives access to the groups of anatomical structures:

  • External ear
  • Ossicles
  • Tympanic cavity
  • Bony labyrinth anterior
  • Bony labyrinth posterior
  • Temporal bone
  • Nerves

 

Coronal anatomy of the ear : ossicles, tympanic cavity, bony labyrinth...
Coronal slice of the ear

 

As the cursor is moved over an anatomical area, the labels of that area are displayed and the area is highlighted: this allows the user to study the bones of the skull base such as the petrous part of the temporal bone.

The CT is a particularly powerful exam for studying the five bony parts of the T-bone:

  • Squamous: forms the lateral wall of the middle cranial fossa
  • Mastoid
  • Petrous: contains the inner ear, internal auditory canal (IAC), petrous apex
  • Tympanic: forms most of the 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.

Interactive atlas of the temporal bone and ear : axial slice with all structures labeled
Interactive atlas of the temporal bone and ear : axial slice with all structures labeled
Coronal anatomy of the ear : ossicles, tympanic cavity, bony labyrinth...
Coronal slice of the ear

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