Prussak's space
Encyclopedia
In human anatomy
, Prussak's Space is the small middle ear
recess, bordered laterally by the flaccid part of Shrapnell's membrane
, superiorly by the scutum
and lateral malleal ligament, inferiorly by the short process of the malleus, and medially by the neck of the malleus.
It communicates with the posterior pouch.
It is named after the Russia
n otologist, Alexander Prussak (1839-1897).
formation. A cholesteatoma forms when there is a deep retraction pocket in the tympanic membrane. The lining of the tympanic membrane, which is skin, is shed, but if the membrane is retracted it gets trapped. The debris collects and enlarges and ultimately forms a cholesteatoma, or cholesterol granule. This cholesteatoma, in turn, can erode the middle ear ossicles, facial nerve, inner ear and even involve the brain.
From Prussak's space, located in the Epitympanum, cholesteatoma patterns of spread are:
Human anatomy
Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye...
, Prussak's Space is the small middle ear
Middle ear
The middle ear is the portion of the ear internal to the eardrum, and external to the oval window of the cochlea. The mammalian middle ear contains three ossicles, which couple vibration of the eardrum into waves in the fluid and membranes of the inner ear. The hollow space of the middle ear has...
recess, bordered laterally by the flaccid part of Shrapnell's membrane
Shrapnell's membrane
In human anatomy, the Pars flaccida of tympanic membrane or Shrapnell's membrane is the small, triangular, flaccid portion of the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. It lies above the malleolar folds attached directly to the petrous bone at the notch of Rivinus...
, superiorly by the scutum
Scutum
Scutum is a small constellation introduced in the seventeenth century. Its name is Latin for shield.-History:Scutum is the only constellation that owes its name to a non-classical historical figure...
and lateral malleal ligament, inferiorly by the short process of the malleus, and medially by the neck of the malleus.
It communicates with the posterior pouch.
It is named after the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n otologist, Alexander Prussak (1839-1897).
Boundaries
- Medially: neck of malleusNeck of malleusThe neck of malleus is the narrow contracted section of the bone in the middle ear called the malleus. It lies just beneath the head of the malleus; below it is a prominence to which the various processes are attached....
- Laterally: pars flaccida
- Inferiorly: lateral process of malleus
- Superiorly: lateral mallear fold
Clinical significance
Prusaks space is important because is a site for pars flaccida acquired cholesteatomaCholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma is a destructive and expanding growth consisting of keratinizing squamous epithelium in the middle ear and/or mastoid process.-Signs and symptoms:...
formation. A cholesteatoma forms when there is a deep retraction pocket in the tympanic membrane. The lining of the tympanic membrane, which is skin, is shed, but if the membrane is retracted it gets trapped. The debris collects and enlarges and ultimately forms a cholesteatoma, or cholesterol granule. This cholesteatoma, in turn, can erode the middle ear ossicles, facial nerve, inner ear and even involve the brain.
From Prussak's space, located in the Epitympanum, cholesteatoma patterns of spread are:
- Posterior epitympanum - through superior incudal space to mastoid antrum,
- Posterior mesotympanum - inferiorly through posterior pouch of von Troeltsch to stapes, round window, sinus tympani and facial recess
- Anterior epitympanum - anterior to head of malleus, may gain access to supratubal recess via anterior pouch of von Troeltsch.