| Description |
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Longitudinal Fractures
Longitudinal fractures occur most commonly from blows to the parietal and temporal regions of the skull, and usually are not associated with significant damage to the inner ear.
The majority of temporal bone fractures (80%) are of the longitudinal type; the fracture line extends into the tegmen tympani, causing hemorrhage into the middle ear cavity and mastoid air cell system.
Longitudinal fractures most often run parallel to the anterior margin of the petrous apex. They originate laterally, pass through the middle ear and mastoid air cells, and typically terminate at the petrous apex.
They may extend across the superior margin of the annulus, creating a laceration of the tympanic membrane and bleeding into the external auditory canal.
A notch or step like deformity of the bony annulus is sometimes seen. |
