Morphometric analysis of the external acoustic meatus and temporomandibular joint proximity.

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We planned this study to create a standard data set to determine the distance between the external acoustic meatus (EAM) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).In this study, axial CT images of 160 healthy adult individuals with temporal bone integrity were examined.Subjects were evaluated in age groups of 18-30, 31-45, 46-60 and 61-85.The thickness of the anterior wall of the EAM (AWEAM) was measured at the widest and narrowest points of the AWEAM.In addition, the joint spaces between the mandibular head and the AWEAM were measured at these levels.It was observed that women's values were generally lower than men's in all age groups.All values were higher in the 31-45 age group compared to the 18-30 age group.In later age groups, a gradual decline in all parameters was observed with aging.The lower parameters in the older age groups were due to the loss of bone tissue with aging.We believe that our results will contribute both to the literature by creating an average data set and to surgeons in creating safe surgical margins for the protection of this region in TMJ and EAM interventions.