Incidence of Foramen of Huschke in South Andhra Population of India.

Abstract

Foramen of Huschke (FH) is an opening present in anteroinferior wall of External Acoustic Meatus (EAM) on the tympanic plate of temporal bone. The developing tympanic ring normally gets closed by the age of 5 years, if not, leads to the persistence of FH, shows a communication between the EAM and mandibular fossa of temporal bone. The aim of the present study was to report on the incidence of FH in adult skulls and individual temporal bones, belonging to South Coastal Andhra population. Ninety three skulls and 34 temporal bones (18 right and 16 left) obtained from the Department of Anatomy and ENT respectively, irrespective of their sex were utilized. This Tympanic Plates (TP) was observed for the occurrence of FH. Incidence of FH was found in 18 (16.22%) on right and 24 (22.02%) on left side. Bilateral FH was seen in 13 (13.98%) and multiple FH was 13 (5.91%). Mostly it was situated on left than the right side. This study revealed that about 38% of South Coastal Andhra crania have FH. The presence of FH may render external and middle ear structures vulnerable to injury during arthroscopy of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). Since FH can result in TMJ herniation and salivary gland fistulisation through the anterior wall of the bony EAM, surgeons working in this area must be cautious during surgical procedures. Also, data obtained from different populations, as observed from our study can be useful in racial and anthropological studies.