Learning the anatomy of human temporal bone histology is fundamental to otology. The knowledge of histological anatomy in addition to macroscopic anatomy enables safe and sufficient surgery. The preparation of human temporal bone histological specimens requires a great deal of time, effort, and expense, and the specimens that have been stored in Japan are extremely valuable.

　There are two directions for sectioning of the temporal bone: horizontal section and vertical section. The horizontally sectioned specimens are suitable for observation of the incudomallear joint, whole route of the facial nerve, cochlea, anterior and posterior semicircular canals, saccular macula, round window, vestibular aqueduct, and endolymphatic sac. On the other hand, the vertically sectioned specimens are convenient for observing the whole eustachian tube, cochlea, facial nerve from the labyrinthine to the tympanic portions, tensor tympani muscle, ampullae of the superior and lateral semicircular canals, utricular macula, and round window.

　Currently, human temporal bone histopathological research has been diminishing around the world. However, immunohistological and molecular biological analyses have been adopted on the research and archival temporal bone specimens are likely to provide new insights into the pathogenesis of ear diseases.

　We examined the salient features of clinical clerkship in otorhinolaryngology at our university. The target population was students of the 5th and 6th grades of the Jikei University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine. The survey items pertained to general training and the diseases and symptoms that the trainees learned about. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire. The most common reason for choosing otolaryngology was interest in the field of otolaryngology. Students had encountered 31 of the 90 (34.4%) otolaryngology diseases listed in the National Examination Criteria. They also experienced many of the symptoms presented in the model core curriculum. They had encountered many patients with dizziness. These findings suggest that students can also encounter many basic symptoms to be learned during clinical clerkship in otolaryngology.

　The surgical success of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) depends on adequate resection of the bone and recognition of the anatomy around the lacrimal sac, and additionally, fixation of the lacrimal sac stoma. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (eDCR) provides a wide surgical field and a clear view of the anatomy inside the nose, so that the surgeons are able to harvest the nasomucosal flap and perform adequate resection of the bone around the lacrimal sac. However, fixation of the lacrimal sac flap to the nasomucosal flap by suture in the nasal cavity has rarely been performed, as it requires an extremely advanced level of skill. In the current study, we describe a modified suture technique for fixation of the lacrimal sac flap to the nasomucosal flap. We were able to suture without difficulty by utilization of a large space outside the nasal cavity. Therefore, the technique does not require the needle to rotate within the nasal cavity as in the suture technique within the nasal cavity. We have already used the modified suture technique successfully in three cases, and there have been no complications or recurrences during or after surgery in any of the cases. This modified technique might be effective for eDCR and an improved success rate of eDCR.

　Osteomas usually occur contiguous to bone tissues, such as in the hard palate, submandibular bone, or nasal-paranasal cavity, in the head and neck legion. We encountered a case of osseous choristoma occurring at the base of the tongue, with no contiguity to any bone tissue. The patient was a 52-years-old woman who presented with the chief complaint of pharyngeal discomfort. Although a tumor-like lesion of the oral cavity was pointed out to her by her family doctor, she did not pursue further testing, as she was asymptomatic. The tumor, which was located at the root of the tongue, with a little blood vessel running on its surface, was smooth. However it was very hard, with a white surface, and immobile. Total resection under general anesthesia was performed. It was very easy to resect the tumor because of the clear boundary between the tumor capsule and the deeper tissue of the tongue. The resected tumor measured 10×7×5 mm in size, and no steal or in-out flow vessels were found. No atypical changes of the mucous membrane were found and the layer structure of the trabeculae in the tumor, as in bone tissue, was remarkable. Based on the findings, the tumor was diagnosed as an osseous choristoma. There has been no recurrence of the tumor as at the time of writing.

　Laryngeal burns are burns of the upper respiratory tract caused by inhalation of hot smoke, vapor, or toxic gases. They can also be caused by ingestion of hot drinks or foods. Since laryngeal edema occurs with a time lag after the injury and can be fatal, early diagnosis and prompt securing of the airway are very important. In the case of laryngeal burns caused by hot drinks and foods, there are many reports of burns caused by liquids such as coffee, tea, and stew. Also, there are many reports of children with inadequate awareness of swallowing or adults with a history of psychiatric disorders.

　In this study, we encountered a case of laryngeal burn caused by swallowing of a hot rice ball with salmon roe that required tracheal intubation. The patient was an adult with no history of psychiatric disorders, and the laryngeal burn was caused by a solid food item. In addition, there was no evidence of burns in the oral cavity, which was unique. Since the temperature of foodstuffs rises differently in the microwave oven depending on the characteristics of the food components, heating foods with non-uniform ingredients can easily result in hot spots, which can lead to burns as in this case. Rice balls are foods with non-uniform ingredients and should be consumed with great care if they are heated in a microwave oven.