Developmental Fusion of the Malleus and Incus in a Late 19 th ‐Century Case of Aural Atresia

Bibliographic Data

ID12371044
AuthorsTreena Swanston (0000-0001-6178-6279, University of Saskatchewan, corresponding author), Y Carter (Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Saskatchewan S7N 5E5), C Hopkins (Department of Archaeology and Anthropology University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Saskatchewan S7N 5B1), Christopher E Hopkins (0000-0002-6981-6329, University of Saskatchewan), Ethan Walker (University of Saskatchewan), E G Walker (Department of Archaeology and Anthropology University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Saskatchewan S7N 5B1), David M L Cooper (0000-0002-3175-9170, University of Saskatchewan)
Year2011
Volume23
Issue5
Pages612-617
Publication date2011-09-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.1286
OpenAlexW2170214857
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited26

A pathological condition, aural atresia, was discovered associated with human remains recovered from a late 19 th ‐century Catholic cemetery 2 km south of Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. Aural atresia, a congenital condition that results in a non‐existent external auditory meatus, was apparent on the right temporal bone of the remains of a young adult male. A complete osteological and contextual assessment, which included the use of a SkyScan 1172 micro‐CT scanner on the pathological incus that was recovered, indicated that the right incus and malleus had fused during early embryological development. The artifacts associated with this individual included a pocket mirror that may have represented a connection to the practice of oralism due to the discouragement of sign language by the authorities in that time period. The combination of advanced bone imaging and a complete contextual analysis suggests a differential diagnosis of nonfunctional hearing associated with the right ear, and the individual may have used a different means of communication. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Atresia · Audiology · Congenital syphilis · Incus · Malleus · Middle ear · Osteology · Pathological · Pathology · Stapes · Temporal bone · Ear Surgery and Otitis Media · Hearing Impairment and Communication · Medicine · Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques · Anatomy

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