Microsurgical anatomy and dissection of the temporal bone.

The topographic and internal anatomy of the temporal bone is reviewed with emphasis on the relationships important to the suboccipital, middle fossa and translabyrinthine surgical approaches to the internal auditory canal. The equipment and materials needed for temporal bone dissection in the laboratory are reviewed. A stepwise method of dissection for each of the three surgical approaches to the internal acoustic meatus is outlined for both the dry and wet temporal bone.