[Variations of the position of the stapes in the fossula of the round window and their surgical value].

The authors studied variations of the position of stapes in the fossula of ovale window on 300 preparations of temporal bones, under operating microscope. They noted three possible positions of the stapes: most commonly downwards to the promontorium (76%), much less frequently (15%) towards the bottom of the fossula, and rarely upwards to the facial canal (9%). Knowledge of these anatomic variations is of great importance in surgical procedures performed in this region.