The epitympanic recess is a hollow located on the superior/roof aspect of the
middle ear.
Clinical significance
This recess is a possible route of spread of infection to the
mastoid air cells located in the
mastoid process of the
temporal bone of the skull.
Inflammation which has spread to the mastoid air cells is very difficult to drain and causes considerable pain. Before the advent of
antibiotic
An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria. It is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the treatment and prevention of ...
s it could only be drained by drilling a hole in the mastoid bone, a process known as
mastoidectomy.
References
Foramina of the skull
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