Basic imaging and normal temporal bone sections

In order to understand the radiology of the temporal bone, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the ear. This chapter presents (1) horizontal sections of a temporal bone, (2) histological sections of a temporal bone stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and (3) axial computerized tomographic sections of temporal bones, all at the same levels simultaneously. This description is useful in order to: (1) acquire a three-dimensional view of the ear, (2) develop an anatomic understanding of the areas involved with disease, and (3) interpret the imagenological studies based on anatomical concepts.