The topographic surgical external ear anatomy of the guinea pig

Abstract

Objectives:This study was conducted to investigate and describe the topographic anatomical details of the external ear of the guinea pig (GP).Methods:Twenty ears were dissected with the aid of an operating microscope and microsurgical techniques. Photographs were taken through an operating microscope.Results:GP’s auricula has lack of dynamic configuration. Helix and scapha are rudimentary. External ear canal is composed of cartilaginous ring, two osseous rings, tympanic ring and the semispherical-shaped bulla. The mean length of the canal was 7 mm. The widest and narrowest diameters of the canal were 4 and 3 mm respectively. A bony dehiscence called foramen Huschke was observed in each dissection of the canals.Conclusion:The external ear of the GP differs than the human external ear in many aspects. Researchers planning to study with this animal model should be aware of all these differences.

Keywords

• guinea pig
• external ear
• topography
• anatomy
• experimental study.