Branchial sources of the auditory ossicles in man. II. Observations of embryonic stages from 7 mm. to 28 mm. (CR length).

Abstract

Introduction A companion article in the previous issue presented a historical review dealing with determination of origin of the auditory ossicles and important early developmental steps. The perplexing and controversial subject of ossicular embryology has been studied for over a century without evolution of a clear-cut, authoritative description. The large number of theories may be attributed partly to the wide variation in type and range of material studied, some investigators' tendencies to reconstruct in their own minds the gaps from one stage of development to another, and a willingness to accept as irrefutable the work of an influential author. As revealed by previous studies, determination of ossicular origin requires the examination of very young embryos, and the use of re— constructions or models. 1 The present study covers a full account of observations on the origin of the ossicles in man, as reflected in the 7 mm. to 28 mm.