Abstract

Connecting the mastoid antrum and posterior cranial fossa is a small structure called the subarcuate canal. The canal lies within the petrous part of the temporal bone and contains the subarcuate artery and vein. In most people, its course runs between the anterior and posterior portions of the superior semicircular canal. Very few cases of the subarcuate canal and artery variations are reported in the literature. We present a case of an anomalous subarcuate artery in a 19-year-old male with chronic left ear discharge and itching, which was detected on high-resolution computed tomography.

Key words: Anatomy, temporal bone, middle ear, surgery.