Communicatory Routes Connecting the Middle Ear, the Inner Ear and the Subarachnoid Space via Perineural Space

Abstract

Twenty-one rabbits received injection of Indian ink into the stylomastoid foramen. Observation of the serial sections of their temporal bones revealed Indian ink infiltration into the subarachnoid space, along the facial nerve, the auricular branch of the vagus nerve and the tympanic nerve. Along the acoustic nerve, the infiltration was found as far as the fundus of the internal auditory meatus. In some cases, however, Indian ink reached the subarachnoid space and infiltrated into the scala tympani, scala vestibuli and around the saccule by way of the cochlear aqueduct. These routes are suspected to be a course of spreading infection or tumor cells.

Key Words:

• facial nerve
• perineural communicatory route
• middle ear
• inner ear
• subarachnoid space