Three-dimensional anatomy of human Scarpa's ganglion.

Abstract

Using a computer-aided three-dimensional reconstruction and measurement method, the authors studied the shape and dimensions of Scarpa's ganglion and interrelations of the ganglion to nearby important anatomical structures in 10 normal human temporal bones obtained from 10 individuals of different ages (12 gestational weeks to 72 years). In the postnatal cases, Scarpa's ganglion was shaped like a distorted hourglass. Although the shape of the ganglion varied somewhat among specimens, a superior division, inferior division, and isthmus ganglionaris were distinguishable in each case. Volume of the ganglion was relatively consistent after birth, so that width and height of the ganglion were inversely correlated with each other (linear regression analysis, P less than .05). There seemed to be, however, a possible postnatal increase in the distances from the ganglion to neighboring structures and in the length of the internal auditory canal; these increases were probably the result of postnatal growth of the temporal bone. Moreover, the width of the ganglion in any single specimen was found to correlate significantly positively with the distances from the ganglion to the vestibular end-organs and the length of the internal auditory canal in that specimen (linear regression analysis, P less than .01). This finding suggests that Scarpa's ganglion may be elongated secondary to the elongation of the vestibular nerve due to the growth of the temporal bone. In fetuses, each portion of the ganglion was less clearly identifiable than that portion in postnatal cases. The dimensions of Scarpa's ganglion were found to have reached maturity around the time of birth.