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| The Facial Nerve (CN7) |
| The bony canal containing the facial nerve can be followed on axial and coronal CT images. This section provides a basic approach for identifying and tracing the course of the facial nerve through the temporal bone. |
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| Tympanic Segment |
| Next, return posterior to follow the horizontal tympanic segment as it courses along the superior aspect of the mesotympanum inner wall. |
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 Slightly more posterior (back to the starting image). Note that the bony wall separating the nerve from the middle ear is very thin, barely discernable by CT, at this point, making it vulnerable to cholesteatoma and middle ear infectious complications. |
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