Abstract:

Objective      To provide lamellar sectional anatomy data for surgery of the eustachian tube. Methods     The digital freezing milling technique was used to obtain continuous sectional data in order to observe and measure the cross-sectional images of the eustachian tube and other structures around it. Results      The maximal longitude of the tubal torus was (4.92±22.68) mm, which was the width of the pharyngeal opening of the eustachian tube. On the plane of the pharyngeal opening, inferior nasal concha were observed in 19 of 30 subjects and the distance between them was (11.65±3.42)mm. The wall thickness between the bony part of auditory tube and carotid canal was (1.28±0.31)mm. Conclusion     The precise data of the eustachian tube and its surroundings can be identified by lamellar sectional anatomy image, which is helpful for surgery.

Key words: Eustachian tube; Pharynx nasalis; Lateral cranial base; Lamellar sectional anatomy; Freezing milling technique