| WHAT
IS THE TEMPORAL BONE? |
|
THE PROTECTIVE TEMPORAL BONE |
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Millions of people are
affected by hearing loss and balance problems. Research into the causes of these problems
is difficult because our hearing and balance organs are found deep within the skull,
hidden and protected inside the temporal bones. For researchers trying to learn about ear
problems, it is not easy to examine these hidden organs directly in living people. So,
studying donated temporal bones after death is one of the best ways to learn about the
causes of ear disorders, and to devise new treatments and cures. |
What is the temporal bone?
The temporal bones form a part of the base of your skull. They are among the hardest of
all your bones, enclosing the tiny organs of your hearing and balance systems. The facial
nerve, responsible for control of your facial muscles, takes a long, winding course
through the temporal bone from your brain to your face.
Would you like to learn more about the anatomy of the temporal bone?
You can download the 3D Teaching Model of the human temporal bone free of
charge. The EPL 3-dimensional (3-D) virtual model of a human temporal
bone is a powerful teaching tool for learning
the complex anatomy of the human temporal bone and for
relating the 2-D morphology from a histological section
to the 3-D anatomy. The Model allows you to see all the parts of the
middle and inner ear in 3D. Click below to see
more about the 3D model.
What exactly is removed?
When a temporal bone removal is performed, only a small part of the temporal bone - the
part containing organs of the hearing
and balance system - is surgically removed after death.
This removal does not affect the appearance of the donor's outer ear, face, or head.
When is the temporal bone removal
performed?
The integrity of the anatomic detail of a processed temporal bone specimen is inversely
related to postmortem time. Therefore, the sooner a temporal bone can be procured after
death, the better it will pass through the preparation process, and the more valuable the
specimen will be.
TYPES OF HEARING LOSS &
OTHER EAR PROBLEMS
Anyone can have an ear problem that causes
hearing loss. Some people are born with a hearing impairment. For others, hearing loss
results from a head injury, ear infection, or exposure to loud noise. Often, hearing loss
is a part of growing older. Whatever the cause, hearing losses fall into two broad groups.
| In CONDUCTIVE HEARING LOSS
there is a loss caused by problems in the outer or middle ears |
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Conductive
Hearing Loss
When sound waves are blocked anywhere along the path from the outer ear to the inner ear,
you experience conductive hearing loss. Conductive loss can be caused by a buildup of wax
in the ear canal, a punctured eardrum, a middle ear infection, or malfunction of the
ossicles. Conductive loss can often be corrected with medication, surgery, or a hearing
aid.
Sensorineural
Hearing Loss
(Nerve Deafness)
Sensorineural loss can be caused by anything that damages the delicate parts of the
inner ear, the auditory nerve, or the brain stem. Damage can be caused by a severe
infection such as mumps or German measles, a head injury, certain drugs, an abnormal
growth in the ear, a very loud noise, or even by growing older. A hearing aid can often
help a person who has sensorineural hearing loss. However, little can be done today to
reverse this type of hearing loss.
Balance Disorders
Balance disorders occur when the delicate vestibular system is damaged. Information about
motion of the head and body may not be sent to the brain properly. The result can be loss
of balance, dizziness, and the spinning sensation of vertigo. Sometimes these problems
resolve on their own over time. Treatments can help some people with balance disorders,
but for many there is currently no helpful therapy. |
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Central Auditory and
Vestibular Disorders
Central auditory and vestibular disorders occur when the brain does not understand the
nerve signals for sound and balance. These problems usually involve the brain stem, where
some of the brain pathways for hearing and balance are located. |
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Facial Nerve Disorders
Facial nerve disorders can happen when a problem affects
the nerve within the temporal
bone. This can occur because the facial nerve runs through the temporal bone on its way
from the brain stem out to the face. Damage to the facial nerve often results in paralysis
of the muscles on that side of the face, causing a droopy facial appearance.
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