PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Kopuz, Cem
AU  - Turgut, Suat
AU  - Kale, Aysin
AU  - Aydin, Mennan E.
TI  - Absence of both stapedius tendon and muscle
DP  - 2006 Apr 01
TA  - Neurosciences Journal
PG  - 112--114
VI  - 11
IP  - 2
4099  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/11/2/112.short
4100  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/11/2/112.full
SO  - Neurosciences (Riyadh)2006 Apr 01; 11
AB  - During surgery for otosclerosis, it is common for the surgeon to cut the stapedius tendon. The absence of the stapedius muscle with its tendon is uncommon. In this study, we present a case of the absence of the unilateral stapedius tendon and muscle. During dissections of adult temporal bones, the absence of the stapedius tendon and muscle was found in one case. The tympanic cavity was explored with the help of a surgical microscope. The pyramidal process was not developed. A possible ontogenetic explanation was provided. In the presented case, the cause of the anomaly may be failure of the embryological development of the muscle. Awareness of the variations or anomalies of the stapedius muscle and tendon are important for surgeons who operate upon the tympanic cavity, especially during surgery for otosclerosis.