Anatomy of the external ear canal: a new technique for making impressions.

The study of the topographical and three dimensional anatomy of the human external auditory canal and tympanic membrane has been simplified by applying a dental impression technique to the cadaver ear. A light silicone resin was catalyzed and syringed into the anterior recess and then into the entire external canal. Analysis of these impressions showed them to compare well with earlier morphological techniques, and to provide a durable and reliable replica of the surface of the tympanic membrane, the interior of the external auditory canal, and the lateral surface of the pinna. The resulting impressions displayed the anatomical features of the external auditory canal in a unique three-dimensional fashion which was also suitable for measurement of the anatomical features of the canal.