The temporal bone is a key structure in auditory processing. It is composed of the outer, middle, and inner ear. Sound travels through the external auditory canal of the outer ear, to the tympanic membrane and middle ear bones of the middle ear, until it reaches the inner ear where it is translated into a neural impulse. Mapping the course of sound through the temporal bone can help us to discover which otologic and neurotologic disorders disrupt the process of hearing.
Previous Research
- Development of the NIDCD National Temporal bone Laboratory at UCLA
- This is the largest collection of documented temporal bones in the world
- Comprised of more than 800 pairs of specimens from both the House Institute Foundation (HIF) and UCLA
- The life work of the late House researcher Fred Linthicum, Jr, MD, who spent his research career as a student of temporal bone anatomy
Current Research
- Fellows at the House Institute study anatomy and complete research projects in our temporal bone laboratory
- Other projects include immunohistochemistry of human temporal bone
Team
- Laura Christopher, MD
- Hossein Mahboubi, MD
- Anne Maxwell, MD
- Mia E. Miller, MD
- Thomas Muelleman, MD
Publications List
Muelleman T, Maxwell AK, Lopez I, Linthicum F, Ishiyama A, Ledbetter L, Lin J, Staecker H, Miller M. Histopathologic Characteristics of Internal Auditory Canal Diverticula. Otol Neurotol. 2019 Jul;40(6):e653-e656. doi:10.1097/MAO.0000000000002256.
Santos F, Linthicum FH, House JW, Wilkinson EP. Histopathologic markers of hearing loss in intralabyrinthine schwannomas: implications for management. Otol Neurotol. 2011 Dec;32(9):1542-7. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e318238fc63.
Ursick JA, Linthicum FH. Leiomyosarcoma of the temporal bone. Otol Neurotol. 2011 Jun;32(4):e30-1.
Makarem A, Fayad JN, Linthicum FH Jr. Endolymphatic pseudohydrops of the cochlear apex. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010 Aug;143(2):269-73. doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2010.03.001
Linthicum FH, Santos F. Endolymphatic sac amputation without hydrops. Otol Neurotol. 2011 Feb;32(2):e12-3. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3181db733e.
Semaan MT, Slattery WH, Brackmann DE. Geniculate ganglion hemangiomas: clinical results and long-term follow-up. Otol Neurotol. 2010 Jun;31(4):665-70. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3181d2f021.
Makarem AO, Hoang TA, Lo WW, Linthicum FH Jr, Fayad JN. Cavitating otosclerosis: clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic correlations. Otol Neurotol. 2010 Apr;31(3):381-4. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3181d275e8.
Fayad JN, Linthicum FH Jr. Symptomatic postsurgical traumatic neuromas. Otol Neurotol. 2009 Oct;30(7):981-4. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3181b4ef04.
Keles B, Semaan MT, Fayad JN. The medial wall of the jugular foramen: a temporal bone anatomic study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009 Sep;141(3):401-7. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2009.05.030.
Fayad JN, Makarem AO, Linthicum FH Jr. Histopathologic assessment of fibrosis and new bone formation in implanted human temporal bones using 3D reconstruction. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009 Aug;141(2):247-52. doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2009.03.031.
de la Cruz A, Teufert KB, Santa Cruz S. [Surgical treatment of temporal, tympanic and jugular paragangliomas. Indications and surgical technique]. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 2009 Feb;60 Suppl 1:106-18.
Linthicum FH Jr, Fayad JN. Spiral ganglion cell loss is unrelated to segmental cochlear sensory system degeneration in humans. Otol Neurotol. 2009 Apr;30(3):418-422.
Linthicum FH Jr, Gortman AM. Endolymphatic hydrops and blockage of the endolymphatic duct. Otol Neurotol. 2009 Feb;30(2):250-1. doi:10.1097/MAO.0b013e318184583f.
Naraev BG, Linthicum FH Jr. Traumatic neuroma of the tympanic (Jacobson’s) nerve as a possible cause of otalgia. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Jun;138(6):735-7. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2008.02.008.
Makarem AO, Schaudinn C, Webster P, Linthicum FH. Possible role of biofilm in fulminant meningitis related to cochlear implantation of dysplastic inner ear. Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol (Bord). 2008;129(4-5):245-8.
De La Cruz A, Borne Teufert K, Berliner KI. Transmastoid labyrinthectomy versus translabyrinthine vestibular nerve section: does cutting the vestibular nerve make a difference in outcome? Otol Neurotol. 2007 Sep;28(6):801-8.
Moon SK, Linthicum FH Jr, Yang HD, Lee SJ, Park K. Activities of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in idiopathic hemotympanum and otitis media with effusion. Acta Otolaryngol. 2008 Feb;128(2):144-50.
Linthicum FH Jr, Krutikova YV. Temporal bone histopathology case of the month: acute hearing loss due to cryptococcal meningitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Otol Neurotol. 2007 Aug;28(5):723-4.
Fayad JN, Don M, Linthicum FH Jr. Distribution of low-frequency nerve fibers in the auditory nerve: Temporal bone findings and clinical implications. Otol Neurotol. 2006 Dec;27(8):1074-7.
Taljebini M, Linthicum FH Jr. Hearing loss in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Otol Neurotol. 2007 Feb;28(2):282-3.
Fayad JN, Linthicum FH Jr. Multichannel cochlear implants: relation of histopathology to performance. Laryngoscope. 2006 Aug;116(8):1310-20.
Naraev BG, Linthicum FH Jr. Temporal bone involvement in multiple myeloma. Otol Neurotol. 2006 Jun;27(4):580-1.
Naraev BG, Linthicum FH Jr. Rapid hearing loss in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Otol Neurotol. 2006 Apr;27(3):445-6.
Chen MA, Webster P, Yang E, Linthicum FH Jr. Presbycusic neuritic degeneration within the osseous spiral lamina. Otol Neurotol. 2006 Apr;27(3):316-22.
Fayad JN, Eisenberg LS, Gillinger M, Winter M, Martinez AS, Luxford WM. Clinical performance of children following revision surgery for a cochlear implant. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006 Mar;134(3):379-84.
Cervera-Paz FJ, Linthicum FH Jr. Cochlear wall erosion after cochlear implantation. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2005 Jul;114(7):543-6.
Teufert KB, Linthicum F Jr. Paget disease and sensorineural hearing loss associated with spiral ligament degeneration. Otol Neurotol. 2005 May;26(3):387-91; discussion 391.
Lim DJ, Hermansson A, Hellström SO, Hussl B, Alper CM, Iino Y, Andalibi A, Jung TT, Bakaletz LO, Kawauchi H, Buchman CA, Kerschner J, Cayé-Thomasen P, Lin J, Chole RA, Merchant SN, Herman P, Paparella MM, Lee HY, Kang SH. Recent advances in otitis media. 3. Animal models; anatomy and pathology; pathogenesis; cell biology and genetics. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl. 2005 Jan;194:31-41. Review.
Sennaroglu L, Slattery WH 3rd. Petrous anatomy for middle fossa approach. Laryngoscope. 2003 Feb;113(2):332-42. PubMed PMID: 12567092.
Tien HC, Linthicum FH Jr. Histopathologic changes in the vestibule after cochlear implantation. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002 Oct;127(4):260-4.
Linthicum FH Jr. The fate of mastoid obliteration tissue: a histopathological study. Laryngoscope. 2002 Oct;112(10):1777-81.
Linthicum FH Jr, Saleh ES, Hitselberger WE, Brackmann DE, Hung G. Growth of postoperative remnants of unilateral vestibular nerve schwannoma: role of the vestibular ganglion. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2002 Mar-Apr;64(2):138-42.
Moore JK, Linthicum FH Jr. Myelination of the human auditory nerve: different time courses for Schwann cell and glial myelin. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2001 Jul;110(7 Pt 1):655-61.
Vasama JP, Linthicum FH Jr. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: temporal bone histopathologic study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2000 Jun;109(6):527-32.
Foyt D, Brackmann DE. Cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea through a congenitally patent fallopian canal. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000 Apr;126(4):540-2.
Alzamil KS, Linthicum FH Jr. Extraneous round window membranes and plugs: possible effect on intratympanic therapy. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2000 Jan;109(1):30-2. PubMed PMID: 10651408.
Vasama JP, Linthicum FH Jr. Meniere’s disease and endolymphatic hydrops without Meniere’s symptoms: temporal bone histopathology. Acta Otolaryngol. 1999;119(3):297-301.
Fayad JN, Linthicum FH Jr. Temporal bone histopathology case of the month: otosyphilis. Am J Otol. 1999 Mar;20(2):259-60.
Tian Q, Linthicum FH Jr, Keithley EM. Application of labeling techniques to archival temporal bone sections. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1999 Jan;108(1):47-53.
Tian Q, Linthicum FH Jr. Temporal bone histopathology of aberrant carotid artery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1998 Nov;119(5):506-7. PubMed PMID: 9807078.
Vasama JP, Linthicum FH Jr. Temporal bone histopathology case of the month: otosclerosis. Am J Otol. 1998 May;19(3):398-9.
Nagaraj BS, Linthicum FH Jr. Autonomic innervation of the human middle ear: an immunohistochemical study. Am J Otolaryngol. 1998 Mar-Apr;19(2):75-82.
Muckle RP, De la Cruz A, Lo WM. Petrous apex lesions. Am J Otol. 1998 Mar;19(2):219-25.
Linthicum FH Jr, Tian Q, Slattery W 3rd. Marrow-mesenchyme connections in the fetal and newborn tympanum. A new entity. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1997 Jun;106(6):466-70.
Keithley EM, Horowitz S, Ruckenstein MJ. Na,K-ATPase in the cochlear lateral wall of human temporal bones with endolymphatic hydrops. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1995 Nov;104(11):858-63.
Linthicum FH Jr, Tian Q, Milicic M. Constituents of the endolymphatic tubules as demonstrated by three-dimensional morphometry. Acta Otolaryngol. 1995 Mar;115(2):246-50.
Linthicum FH Jr. Historical biography: George Kelemen. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994 Dec;111(6):701-2.
Tian Q, Rask-Andersen H, Linthicum FH Jr. Identification of substances in the endolymphatic sac. Acta Otolaryngol. 1994 Nov;114(6):632-6.
Keithley EM, Tian Q, Robins-Browne R. Fibronectin-like immunoreactivity of the basilar membrane of celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections. Acta Otolaryngol. 1994 Nov;114(6):613-9. PubMed PMID: 7879618.
Ramsay HA, Brackmann DE. Osteoma of the internal auditory canal. A case report. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994 Feb;120(2):207-8.
Gadre AK, Fayad JN, O’Leary MJ, Zakhary R, Linthicum FH Jr. Arterial supply of the human endolymphatic duct and sac. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1993 Feb;108(2):141-8.
Lau SK, Linthicum FH Jr. Apparent apical endolymphatic hydrops: computer-aided three-dimensional reconstruction and histologic study of the apical turn of the cochlear duct. Am J Otol. 1993 Jan;14(1):79-81.
Rodgers GK, Applegate L, De la Cruz A, Lo W. Magnetic resonance angiography: analysis of vascular lesions of the temporal bone and skull base. Am J Otol. 1993 Jan;14(1):56-62.
Ng M, Linthicum FH Jr. Periductal vessels of the endolymphatic duct. Acta Otolaryngol. 1992;112(4):649-57.
Fayad J, Linthicum FH Jr, Otto SR, Galey FR, House WF. Cochlear implants: histopathologic findings related to performance in 16 human temporal bones. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1991 Oct;100(10):807-11.
O’Leary MJ, Fayad J, House WF, Linthicum FH Jr. Electrode insertion trauma in cochlear implantation. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1991 Sep;100(9 Pt 1):695-9. PubMed PMID: 1952658.
Linthicum FH Jr, Fayad J, Otto SR, Galey FR, House WF. Cochlear implant histopathology. Am J Otol. 1991 Jul;12(4):245-311.
Arriaga M, Curtin HD, Takahashi H, Kamerer DB. The role of preoperative CT scans in staging external auditory meatus carcinoma: radiologic-pathologic correlation study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1991 Jul;105(1):6-11.
el Shazly MA, Linthicum FH Jr. Microfissures of the temporal bone: do they have any clinical significance? Am J Otol. 1991 May;12(3):169-71.
Linthicum FH Jr, Anderson W. Cochlear implantation of totally deaf ears. Histologic evaluation of candidacy. Acta Otolaryngol. 1991;111(2):327-31.
Gadre AK, Kwartler JA, Brackmann DE, House WF, Hitselberger WE. Middle fossa decompression of the internal auditory canal in acoustic neuroma surgery: a therapeutic alternative. Laryngoscope. 1990 Sep;100(9):948-52.
Feghali JG, Benecke JE Jr. Consequences of middle ear bone dust during neurotologic surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990 Jun;102(6):698-700.
Fayad J, Moloy P, Linthicum FH Jr. Cochlear otosclerosis: does bone formation affect cochlear implant surgery? Am J Otol. 1990 May;11(3):196-200. Review.
Xenellis JE, Linthicum FH Jr, Galey FR. Lermoyez’s syndrome: histopathologic report of a case. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1990 Apr;99(4 Pt 1):307-9.
Portmann D, Fayad J, Linthicum FH Jr, Rask-Andersen H. Transmission electron microscopy of previously embedded celloidin sections. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 1990;470:7-12.
Fayad J, Linthicum FH Jr, House WF. [Cochlear implants: histological data]. Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol (Bord). 1990;111(5):439-42. French.
Bui HT, Galey FR, Linthicum FH Jr. Electron microscopy of hyalin bodies in the human intraosseous endolymphatic sac. Am J Otol. 1989 Jul;10(4):285-8.
Bui HT, Linthicum FH Jr. Histologic and statistical studies on hyalin bodies in the human endolymphatic sac. Am J Otol. 1989 Jul;10(4):281-4
