ANATOMIC STUDIES OF THE PETROUS PORTION OF THE TEMPORAL BONE

Abstract

The writings of Profant, Eagleton, Kopetzky and Almour, Friesner and Druss, and Voss have stimulated a widespread interest in the subject of suppuration of the petrous pyramid during the past few years. As far back as 1904 Mouret 1 carried out systematic anatomic studies on the petrous At that time he evidenced his understanding of infection of the petrous tip. He stated that if the cellular arrangement favors an infection of the mastoid process in the presence of suppuration of the middle ear and facilitates the retention of pus in that part of the temporal bone, it is easy to understand how the pus can be extended into the perilabyrinthine cells and cause necrosis of the petrous pyramid. A series of 200 temporal bones were studied in 100 autopsies. These bones were studied in their normal position and relationship within the skull with the brain intact and also after