Age of closure of the foramen of Huschke: an osteological study

Abstract

The foramen of Huschke is a dehiscence in the antero-inferior surface of the tympanic plate, which forms during the normal post-natal development of the temporal bone. Closure of the foramen is generally reported to take place by 5 years of age, although a persistent foramen has been observed in 0-67% of adult crania depending on the population. A persistent foramen of Huschke in adult life may be involved in abnormalities of the external auditory canal and related structures, which can lead to otological complications. This paper examines age-related changes in the development of the tympanic plate from the perinatal to the adult condition using two osteological samples from Britain, and is the first systematic evaluation beyond the age of six years. The results suggest that the widely cited chronology for the closure of the foramen of Huschke is erroneous. Earlier stages of formation may be used for narrowing age estimation in fragmentary remains of juveniles in a skeletal collection of unknown age or in a forensic or clinical context.

Age Estimation by Tympanic Bone Development in Foetal and Infant Skeletons

“…The age range of CA for DTP 2 and 3 is coincidental with Stages B and C by Humphrey & Scheuer (2006), as they include individuals in the age range of birth to 18 months. However, our results show that those individuals with DTP 3 have a SA of over 2.3 months of postnatal life (>49.9 weeks) and a CA of over 3 postnatal months, showing that the development of the temporal bone could be useful in the interpretation of infant mortality in skeletal collections.…”

“…The development of the temporal bone, and in particular the tympanic portion, has been used to estimate age. This process starts with the ossification of the tympanic ring, followed with the fusion to the petromastoid portion and continues with bone proliferation up to the constitution of the foramen of Huschke and its closure (Weaver, ; Curran & Weaver, ; Humphrey & Scheuer, ).…”

“…The development of the temporal bone, and in particular the tympanic portion, has been used to estimate age. This process starts with the ossification of the tympanic ring, followed with the fusion to the petromastoid portion and continues with bone proliferation up to the constitution of the foramen of Huschke and its closure (Weaver, 1979;Curran & Weaver, 1982;Humphrey & Scheuer, 2006). When human bones are found, it is necessary to obtain biological information about the skeletal material, and the estimation of age at death is one of the first individual attributes sought (White et al, 2012).…”

Spontaneous Temporomandibular Joint Herniation into the External Auditory Canal through a Persistent Foramen Tympanicum (Huschke): Otologic Features

“…However, persistent osseous dehiscence is occasionally observed after the age of 5 years. 5 The foramen of Huschke is a route of communication between the external ear canal and the infratemporal fossa, and it may also provide a route for tumors and infection to spread. 6 Herniation of a first branchial arch cyst migrating through this defect has also been reported.…”

Death and Disability in a Younge Phase Community

“…Both tympanic plates of B are normal. Each has a foramen of Huschke, which is normal for B 's age and not related to the maldevelopment visible in the middle ear (Humphrey and Scheuer 2006). However, the right tympanic membrane had calcified, leaving only a small central dehiscence 1 mm in diameter (see Hodges et al 1990 for a similar bony occlusion).…”