Abstract:

Objective　To provide anatomical basis for imaging diagnosis and surgical approach of the diseases of lateral cranial base.　Methods　40 headneck specimens from adult corpses were selected and cut into the sagittal and coronal sections respectively. On sagittal sections through the vertical part of carotid canal, foramen ovale, and on the coronal section through the foramen ovale and root part of styloid process, anatomical relationship of the structures of lateral cranial base were observed, and measured about anatomic parameters among the important structures of lateral cranial base with the vernier caliper.　Results　The sagittal, coronal sections could clearly display the foramen ovale, jugular foramen, vertical part of carotid canal, jugular fossa, temporomandibular joint, styloid process of lateral cranial base and its adjacent structures, and the structures in parapharyngeal space of the lateral cranial base. The distance from the external opening of carotid canal, foramen ovale, root part of styloid process to the jugular foramen were 16.60±2.34 mm, 22.70±1.64 mm, 21.14±2.05 mm in sagittal and coronal section respectively. Styloid process was bony mark for observing relationship among the structures and searching the nerve and vessels during the imaging diagnosis and surgical approach of the lateral cranial base. The structures of lateral cranial base were symmetrical of both sides, and there were no significant differences in the diameter and distance between the important structures. Conclusions　 It's better to show structures in the internal acoustic meatus and infratemporal space, and valuable references for imaging diagnosis and planning surgical approach of the diseases of lateral cranial base, under the sagittal and coronal sections separately.

Key words: Lateral cranial base, Sectional anatomy, Temporal bone, Magnetic resonance imaging