Comparative Anatomy and Radiology: Human vs. Ovine Model

An accurate knowledge of comparative anatomy and radiology between ovine and human is mandatory and a preliminary requirement to start the training in endoscopic ear surgery on the ovine model in the proper way. Indeed, the comprehension of the differences and similarities regarding the anatomical structures and radiological findings allows performing all the surgical procedures with a more precise and better surgical point of view. By the means of the endoscope, some of the areas of the middle ear cavity simply inaccessible by microscope have been described, and thanks to the capability of the endoscope to “look around the corner” almost every space of the middle ear cavity has been explored. In addition, angled lenses (i.e., 30°, 45°, 70°) might help to assess even deeper recesses (i.e., type B facial sinus, type B sinus tympani). In this chapter the anatomic details of the ovine model are highlighted and compared to those of the human. A specific knowledge of the ovine model’s anatomy is obvious prerequisite to start this training program. The middle ear anatomy of the ovine is quite similar to the human one and is suitable to perform endoscopic surgical procedures.