Prevalence of microfissures in the human temporal bone: A report of 1000 temporal bones

A total of 1000 human temporal bones were studied to determine the prevalence of two microfissures: 1. the one between the facial canal and the vestibule, 2. the microfissure between the round window niche (RWN) and the posterior semicircular canal (PSC). Additionally, this study compares the prevalence according to temporal bone age and sex. The microfissure between the facial canal and the vestibule was observed in 470 (47 %) temporal bones, with a bilateral presence of 77.2 %. The prevalence of this microfissure increases linearly with age. It was not found in any bone within the 0 to 2 age group. It was present in 3 (7.3 %) bones from the 2 to 9 age group, as opposed to 374 (54.8 %) bones from the 40 and over group. The microfissure between the RWN and the PSC was detected in 915 (91.5 %) temporal bones. This second microfissure was found to be an overwhelmingly bilateral entity. The prevalence of this other microfissure also increases with age. This microfissure was also not present in any temporal bone within the 0 to 2 age group. It was found in 28 (68.3 %) bones from the 2 to 9 age group, in contrast to 678 (99.4 %) temporal bones from the 40 + group. In addition to a review of the literature, the possible clinical significance of these microfissures is discussed.