A human, left temporal bone: a complex anatomical model of the middle stage of the basis of the cranium with aperture of the middle ear cavity and vascular representations

Abstract

A left temporal bone with somme elements of the adjacent sphenoid and occipital bones, exponed the exo and endo‐cranial aspects of the middle floor of the basis of the cranium. It was mounted on a wooden basis (9 × 9× 1,8 cm) by a metallic stem; a label « CLAY ADAMS CO SKELETONS. ANATOMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL MODELS 25 EAST 26th NEW YORK » was sticked on its superior face. Its maximal dimensions were 10 cm long, 9 cm high and 6 cm wide. It belonged to the scientific, Alain Brieux Library in Paris. Several (arteries and veins) vascular representations were figured. The bone had been sawed along its longitudinal axis in order to expone the middle ear. A window had been hollowed on the superior face of the temporal bone to expone the semi‐circular canals; another one had been removed from the external face of the mastoid process showing its cavities. The simplicity of the mounting of this model made from real bones was only apparent and the manufacture could have been delicate. This model had been probably produced in the years 1940 (Carline Zanon). We thanks Mr Alexandre Piffault.