Anthropometry Of Internal Acoustic Meatus In Dry Adult Human Skull Using Casting Method

ABSTRACT

Background: The internal acoustic canal (IAC), is a bony canal within the petrous portion of the temporal bonethat transmits the VII and VIII cranial nerves and labyrinth vessels. Quantitative and morphometric assessmentof the internal auditory canal (IAC) are essential to establish the anatomical bases for microsurgery of thecerebellopontine angle and acoustic neuroma, which may produce bone changes and is an important intracranialpathology.Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 40 adult temporal bone of adult skulls.The impressionof IAM/IAC was taken using impression material Poly Vinyl Silioxane, then the measurement were taken on drycast using digital vernier calliper. The obatined data was tabulated and analysed statistically.Results: The mean height and width of right and left side of IAM at porous end, middle portion and fundus endwas 3.56 & 3.86mm & 3.48 & 4.13 mm, 3.52 & 3.37mm & 3.44 & 3.47mm, 3.26mm & 3.08mm, 3.36 & 3.19mmrespectively. The Mean superior length & inferior length on right side was 9.89 & 8.43mm & 9.94 & 8.59 mm onleft side respectively. On comparing the parameters between right and left sides by using unpaired t test, it wasfound to be statistically insignificant.Conclusion: The present study presents a baseline data on morphometric measurements of IAM of dry adultsskulls among south Indian population, also confirms that there is a differences in dimensions of IAM amongdifferent races and regions and thus emphasises need to have knowledge of normal data of different population.