internal acoustic meatus , auch: internal auditory canal , auch: internal auditory canal

Internal acoustic meatus (or internal auditory meatus)

Section of the facial and acoustic nerves within internal acoustic meatus (the separation between them is not apparent in the section)

The intermediate nerve reaches the posterior cranial fossa via the internal acoustic meatus before synapsing in the solitary nucleus.

It emerges from the pons and exits the inner skull via the internal acoustic meatus (or internal auditory meatus) in the temporal bone.

The opening to the internal acoustic meatus is located inside the cranial cavity, near the center of the posterior surface of the petrous part of the temporal bone.

The internal acoustic meatus transmits the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves and the labyrinthine artery (an internal auditory branch of the basilar artery).

Exits the skull through the internal acoustic meatus as part of the facial nerve, then it travels through the middle ear, where it runs from posterior to anterior across the tympanic membrane.

Behind the internal acoustic meatus is a small slit almost hidden by a thin plate of bone, leading to a canal, the aquæductus vestibuli, which transmits the ductus endolymphaticus together with a small artery and vein.

The facial canal (also known as Fallopian Canal -first described by Gabriele Falloppio-) is a Z-shaped canal running through the temporal bone from the internal acoustic meatus to the stylomastoid foramen.

From the geniculate ganglion the taste fibers continue as the intermediate nerve which goes to the upper anterior quadrant of the fundus of the internal acoustic meatus along with the motor root of the facial nerve.

One (proötic) appears in the neighborhood of the eminentia arcuata, spreads in front and above the internal acoustic meatus and extends to the apex of the bone; it forms part of the cochlea, vestibule, superior semicircular canal, and medial wall of the tympanic cavity.