Morphogenesis of the Middle Ear during Fetal Development as Observed Via Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Ohtsuki, Sae; Ishikawa, Aoi; Yamada, Shigehito; Imai, Hirohiko; Matsuda, Tetsuya; Takakuwa, Tetsuya

doi:10.1002/ar.23760

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The former morphology suggested a drastic topographical change or an anterior sliding of the ganglion after birth. However, magnetic resonance imaging of fetuses and infants did not state about the change [ 19 - 22 ]. The latter evoked a question as to when and how multiple turns or a siphon-like course of the ICA is established: 1) an anteromedial turn at the base of the petrosa (an external aperture of the carotid canal); 2) an anterior bending at the entrance to the cavernous sinus; 3) a strong posterior bending in the sinus; 4) a superior turn at the exit from the cavernous sinus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fetal development of the carotid canal with special reference to a contribution of the sphenoid bone and pharyngotympanic tube

et al. 2021

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The bony carotid canal is a tube-like bone with a rough surface in contrast to smooth surfaces of the other parts of the temporal bone petrosal portion (petrosa): it takes an impression of the additional, out-sourcing product. No study had been conducted to evaluate a contribution of the adjacent sphenoid and pharyngotympanic tube (PTT) to the carotid canal. We examined sagittal and horizontal histological sections of hemi-heads from 37 human fetuses at 10 to 37 weeks. At 10 to 18 weeks, the future carotid canal was identified as a wide loose space between the cartilaginous cochlea and the ossified or cartilaginous sphenoid elements (ala temporalis and pterygoid). A linear mesenchymal condensation extending between the cochlear wall and ala temporalis suggested the future antero-inferior margin of the carotid canal. This delineation was more clearly identified in later stages. After 25 weeks, 1) the growing pterygoid pushed the PTT upward and, in turn, the PTT pushed the internal carotid artery (ICA) upward toward the petrosa: 2) a membranous ossification occurs in the dense mesenchymal tissue, the latter of which took an appearance of an anterior process of the petrosa; 3) the bony process of the petrosa involved the ICA inside or posteriorly. The bony carotid canal was made with membranous ossification in the dense mesenchymal tissue between the petrosa and sphenoid. The mother tissue was detached from the sphenoid by the PTT. The ossification of the septum between the ICA and tympanic cavity seemed to continue after birth.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fetal development of the carotid canal with special reference to a contribution of the sphenoid bone and pharyngotympanic tube

et al. 2021

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“…Once they skeletonize and become dry isolated tiny bones, they lie inside the middle ear cavity which, following the decomposition of the tympanic membrane (eardrum), directly communicates with the external environment through the external acoustic meatus (ear canal). The skeletonized external acoustic The ossicular chain has been known for 500 years [4], during which most studies have focused on its morphogenesis, morphological variability and clinical pathology [4][5][6][7][8][9]. In paleontology and archaeology, the study of the auditory ossicles has been more rarely addressed, nevertheless it has added relevant knowledge to research in paleobiology [10][11][12], paleopathology [13,14], human evolution [9,15,16] and forensics, where it has been defined as a reliable source for DNA extraction [17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Presence of the Human Auditory Ossicles—Detected Postmortem by CT Scan—As a Taphonomic Indicator

Guareschi,

Poggesi,

Palmesino

et al. 2023

Forensic Sciences

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Introduction: Three tiny bones compose the human ossicular chain: malleus, incus and stapes. Also known as auditory ossicles, they are united by joints in the middle ear cavity of the petrous part of the temporal bone. Completely developed two years after birth, the ossicular chain is involved in the physiological process of hearing, by which sound waves from the environment are converted into electrochemical impulses. In the last 500 years, most studies have focused on the morphogenesis, morphological variability and clinical pathology of the ossicular chain, whilst only a few studies have added relevant knowledge to anthropology and forensic science. The auditory ossicles and the enclosing petrous bone are some of the hardest in the human skeleton. This is reflected in a relative resistance to fire and in the possibility of preservation and fossilization in millions of years. Materials and Methods: The literature and four present-day forensic cases were included in studying the postmortem loss of the auditory ossicles in skeletal or decomposing remains. Results indicate that it can be ascribed to their destruction or physical displacement, by either macro-micro-faunal action and/or any other natural or artificial disturbance. Discussion: Physical displacement is closely connected to the depositional environment of the skeletal remains, such as burial, entombment (sarcophagus, coffin, vault…), submersion or exposure to natural elements. Auditory ossicles can be recovered in situ, or very close to their anatomical location, when the skeletal material has been involved in an archaeological excavation. In the case of accessible or disturbed remains, scavengers may remove the tiny ossicles and/or they can slip out of the middle ear cavity following skull movements. Entombment offers effective protection against the displacement of the auditory ossicles, whereas aquatic submersion and aquatic movement almost invariably displace them. Conclusion: the preservation of the human auditory ossicles should be critically considered in the comprehensive context of any forensic investigation on human remains since it can assist the reconstruction of their taphonomic history. Taphonomic histories of remains can add crucial information to forensic investigations (e.g., the Post Mortem Interval, PMI). The aim of this study, limited by scarce relevant literature, is to discuss the potential role of the ossicular chain, detected by postmortem imaging techniques, as a taphonomical indicator in decomposing and/or skeletonized bodies.

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“…The physiological function of the ossicular chain contributes to the process of hearing, by transmitting sound vibrations from the environment to the oval window of the inner ear, where they are converted into electrochemical impulses [3]. The ossicular chain has been known for 500 years [4], during which most studies have focussed on its morphogenesis, morphological variability and clinical pathology [4][5][6][7][8][9]. In palaeontology and archaeology, the study of the auditory ossicles has been more rarely addressed, nevertheless it has added relevant knowledge to research in paleobiology [10][11][12], paleopathology [13,14], human evolution [9,15,16] and forensics, where it has been defined as a reliable source for DNA extraction [17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Presence of the Human Auditory Ossicles -Detected Post-mortem by CT Scan- as a Taphonomic Indicator

Guareschi,

Poggesi,

Palmesino

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Three tiny bones compose the human ossicular chain: malleus, incus and stapes. Also known as auditory ossicles, they are united by joints in the middle ear cavity of the petrous part of the temporal bone. Completely developed 2 years after birth, the ossicular chain is involved in the physiological process of hearing, by which sound waves from the environment are converted into electrochemical impulses. In the last 500 years, most studies have focussed on the morphogenesis, morphological variability and clinical pathology of the ossicular chain, whilst only a few studies have added relevant knowledge to anthropology and forensic science. The auditory ossicles and the enclosing petrous bone are some of the hardest in the human skeleton. This reflects in a relative resistance to fire. In the post mortem period and in favourable circumstances, the auditory ossicles can fossilize and survive for millions of years. Post mortem loss in skeletal or decomposed remains can be ascribed to their destruction or physical displacement, by either macro-micro-faunal action and/or any other natural or artificial disturbance. Physical displacement is closely connected to the depositional environment of the skeletal remains, such as burial, entombment (sarcophagus, coffin, vault…), submersion or exposure to natural elements. Auditory ossicles can be recovered in situ, or very close to their anatomical location, when the skeletal material has been involved in an archaeological excavation. In the case of accessible or disturbed remains, scavengers may remove the tiny ossicles, and/or they can slip out of the middle ear cavity following skull movements. Entombment offers an effective protection against the displacement of the auditory ossicles, whereas aquatic submersion and aquatic movement almost invariably displace them. The preservation of the human auditory ossicles should be critically considered in the comprehensive context of any forensic investigation on human remains, since it can assist the reconstruction of their taphonomic history. Taphonomic histories of remains can add crucial information to forensic investigations (e.g., the Post Mortem Interval, PMI). The aim of this study, limited by scarce relevant literature, is to discuss the potential role of the ossicular chain, detected by post mortem imaging techniques, as a taphonomical indicator in decomposing and/or skeletonized bodies.

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Morphogenesis of the Middle Ear during Fetal Development as Observed Via Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Cited by 6 publications

References 18 publications

Fetal development of the carotid canal with special reference to a contribution of the sphenoid bone and pharyngotympanic tube

Fetal development of the carotid canal with special reference to a contribution of the sphenoid bone and pharyngotympanic tube

The Presence of the Human Auditory Ossicles—Detected Postmortem by CT Scan—As a Taphonomic Indicator

The Presence of the Human Auditory Ossicles -Detected Post-mortem by CT Scan- as a Taphonomic Indicator

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