Suprameatal spine

Suprameatal Spine

The Suprameatal Spine (also known as Spina Suprameatica or Spine of Henle) is a small bony projection in the human ear. It is located in the posterior part of the external auditory meatus, just above the tympanic membrane or eardrum. The Suprameatal Spine is an important anatomical landmark in ear surgery, particularly in tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy.

Etymology

The term "Suprameatal Spine" is derived from Latin. "Supra" means above, "meatal" refers to a passage or opening, and "spine" is a sharp, pointed process on a bone. The term "Spine of Henle" is named after the German anatomist Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle, who first described this structure.

Anatomy

The Suprameatal Spine is a small, pointed bony projection located in the posterior part of the external auditory meatus, just above the tympanic membrane. It is part of the temporal bone, which forms the side and base of the skull. The Suprameatal Spine serves as an important anatomical landmark in ear surgery, as it indicates the location of the tympanic membrane and the middle ear.

Clinical Significance

The Suprameatal Spine is an important anatomical landmark in ear surgery. It is used to locate the tympanic membrane and the middle ear during tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy. These surgeries are performed to treat conditions such as chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and hearing loss. The Suprameatal Spine can also be used to determine the position of the facial nerve during ear surgery, as the nerve runs close to this structure.

Related Terms

• Tympanic Membrane: The eardrum, a thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear.
• Tympanoplasty: A surgical procedure to repair a perforated tympanic membrane or the small bones of the middle ear.
• Mastoidectomy: A surgical procedure to remove diseased mastoid air cells, which are located in the skull behind the ear.
• Temporal Bone: A large bone in the skull that forms the base and sides of the skull and contains the middle and inner ear.
• Facial Nerve: The seventh cranial nerve, which controls the muscles of facial expression, taste sensation, and some aspects of hearing.

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