Abstract:

Objective   To study the surgical approach to middle ears and middle ear structure in rabbits and to provide experimental data for a rabbit model used in otological study. Methods   Eight healthy New Zealand rabbits (sixteen ears) were used in this study. The middle ear surgical approach and the landmarks were studied.  Middle ears of the rabbit were anatomized and observed under a microscope. Results   The retroauricular surgical approach was a fast and better way into a rabbit′s middle ears, but it was important to have a suitable position of the rabbit during the experiment. Some anatomical landmarks such as the facial nerve were useful for fast and correct approaching into middle ears. The rabbit′s middle ear anatomical structures are complex and similar to human′s. Conclusions   The retroauricular surgical approach is the choice of way to a rabbit′s middle ears，and the rabbit has similar anatomic structures with human′s in middle ear， so the rabbit model can be used in otological experiments.

Key words: Rrabbits； Middle ears； Approach； Anatomical structures