Epitympanum
Last revised by Roland Zhang
on 30 Oct 2024
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Bell D, Zhang R, Hacking C, et al. Epitympanum. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 21 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-57531
rID:
57531
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures
Last revised:
30 Oct 2024,
Roland Zhang
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Roland Zhang had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Roland Zhang's current disclosures
Revisions:
11 times, by
5 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- attic
- epitympanic recess
The epitympanum, also known as the attic or epitympanic recess, is the most superior portion of the tympanic cavity. It is the portion of the tympanic cavity that lies superior to the axial plane between the tip of the scutum and the tympanic segment of the facial nerve 1,3.
Posteriorly the epitympanum is in direct continuity with the mastoid antrum via the aditus ad antrum, and thence the mastoid air cells. Its main contents are the head of the malleus and body and short process of the incus, which articulate with each other at the incudomalleolar joint. The normal appearance of these structures on axial CT gives rise to the ice cream cone sign.
Anteriorly is a discrete space, the anterior epitympanic recess, from which the rest of the epitympanum is separated by the cog 2.
Laterally lies Prussak space which is located between the scutum and neck of the malleus.
References
- 1. Amy F. Juliano, Daniel T. Ginat, Gul Moonis. Imaging Review of the Temporal Bone: Part I. Anatomy and Inflammatory and Neoplastic Processes. (2013) Radiology. 269 (1): 17-33. doi:10.1148/radiol.13120733 - Pubmed
- 2. Petrus LV, Lo WW. The anterior epitympanic recess: CT anatomy and pathology. (1997) AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology. 18 (6): 1109-14. Pubmed
- 3. H. Ric Harnsberger, André J. Macdonald. Diagnostic and Surgical Imaging Anatomy. ISBN: 9781931884297
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