External auditory meatus

Last edit by Alaric Steinmetz on

Synonyms: Äußerer Gehörgang

The external auditory meatus is the external ear canal and serves as an important anatomical landmark for orientation and surgical approach planning in neurosurgery.

Anatomy

The external auditory meatus, along with the auricle, forms the outer ear. The external auditory meatus extends approximately 2-3 cm from the porus acusticus externus to the tympanic membrane and, as a protective function, has a slightly convex curvature towards the posterior and cranial.

Illustration

Anatomical landmarks lateral view of the skull
Anatomical landmarks in the lateral view of the bony skull. Illustration adapted from Takanori Fukushima - Manual of Skull Base Dissection 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9780965198615.

Imaging

Meatus acusticus externus
Illustration of the Meatus acusticus externus in the axial CT image of the skull (red arrow).