Abstract
In this study, we investigated the localization of the semicircular canals in the human temporal bone. We used films of CT target imaging of 2.0mm thick slice of the temporal bone in order to obtain anatomic measurements of the semicircular canals of sixty ears.
In addition, macroscopic measurements of the semicircular canals in twenty ears obtained from autopsies were applied.
Results obtained in this study were as follows:
1) Distance from the short process of the incus to the dome of the lateral semicircular canal using CT was 1.2mm.
2) Distance from the short process of the incus to the lateral semicircular duct using CT was 2.3mm.
3) Distance from the short process of the incus to the posterior semicircular duct using CT was 9.5mm.
4) Distance from the blue line of the lateral semicircular canal to the short process of the incus was 2.7mm.
5) Distance from the short process of the incus to the blue line of the posterior semicircular canal was 8.5mm.
6) Distance from the short process of the incus to the anterior semicircular duct was 6.5mm.
7) Distance from the head of the stapes to the anterior semicircular duct was 6.0mm.
These results suggest that CT target imaging of the inner ear is useful technique for localization of the semicircular canals.
