Ancestry estimation in forensic anthropology: accuracy of the AncesTrees software in a Brazilian sample.

The objective of this study is to analyze the accuracy and applicability of the AncesTrees software with respect to a set of cranial measurements of a Brazilian sample consisting of 114 identified skulls from two osteological collections, predominantly composed of European (n = 59), African (n = 35), and admixed individuals (n = 20). Twenty-four different craniometric measurements are performed and input to AncesTrees via two algorithms, one of which is used in three configurations, with different ancestral groups integrated in the model. The software exhibits superior performance in the estimation of European individuals, reaching 73% accuracy, compared with 66% in the African individuals. Those individuals classified as admixed produce a variety of ancestral classifications, mainly European. Overall, the most accurate combination of AncesTrees is obtained using ancestralForest with only the European and African groups integrated into the algorithm, where the accuracy reaches 70%. The applicability of this software to a specific population is fragile because of the high admixing load, making it necessary to create a more representative anthropometric database of the Brazilian people. Key points: Ancestry estimation methods are seldom validated in Brazil.AncesTrees performed poorly on our sample, with a maximum accuracy of 70%.Brazil's highly mixed population hinders ancestry estimation.Mixed individuals (pardos) are predominantly classified as Europeans.The insertion of Brazilian metric data into the AncesTrees database would produce better results.

Microsurgical Anatomy of the Cerebellar Interpeduncular Entry Zones.

OBJECTIVE: The cerebellar interpeduncular region, particularly the middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) and interpeduncular sulcus (IPS) are significant surgical relevance areas due to the high prevalence of vascular and tumoral pathologies, such as cavernomas, arteriovenous malformations, and gliomas. We defined safer access areas of the MCP and the IPS, according to the surface anatomy, involved vessels, and fiber tracts of the cerebellar interpeduncular region. METHODS: Fifteen formalin-fixed and silicone-injected cadaveric heads and 23 human brainstems with attached cerebellums prepared with the Klingler's technique were bilaterally dissected to study the vascular and intrinsic anatomy. RESULTS: Surface anatomy: The mean length of the IPS was 12.73 mm (standard deviation [SD],2.15 mm), and the average measured angle formed by the IPS and the lateral mesencephalic sulcus was 144.53°. The mean distance from the uppermost point of the IPS to cranial nerve IV was 2.63 mm (SD, 2.84 mm). Vascular anatomy: The perforating branches of the superior cerebellar peduncle, IPS, and MCP originated predominantly from the caudal trunk of the superior cerebellar artery. The inferior third of the superior cerebellar peduncle and IPS was the third most pierced by perforating arteries, and for the MCP, was its superior third. Crossing vessels: The branches of the pontotrigeminal vein and the caudal trunk of the superior cerebellar artery crossed the IPS mostly. The superior third of the IPS was the most crossed by arteries and veins. CONCLUSIONS: The middle thirds of the IPS and MCP as entry zones might be safer than their superior and inferior thirds due to fewer perforating branches, arterial trunks, and veins crossing the sulcus as fewer eloquent tracts.

Three-Dimensional Quantitative Analysis of the Brainstem Safe Entry Zones Based on Internal Structures.

OBJECTIVE: Brainstem safe entry zones (EZs) are gates to access the intrinsic pathology of the brainstem. We performed a quantitative analysis of the intrinsic surgical corridor limits of the most commonly used EZs and illustrated these through an inside perspective using 2-dimensional photographs, 3-dimensional photographs, and interactive 3-dimensional model reconstructions. METHODS: A total of 26 human brainstems (52 sides) with the cerebellum attached were prepared using the Klingler method and dissected. The safe working areas and distances for each EZ were defined according to the eloquent fiber tracts and nuclei. RESULTS: The largest safe distance corresponded to the depth for the lateral mesencephalic sulcus (4.8 mm), supratrigeminal (10 mm), epitrigeminal (13.2 mm), peritrigeminal (13.3 mm), lateral transpeduncular (22.3 mm), and infracollicular (4.6 mm); the rostrocaudal axis for the perioculomotor (11.7 mm), suprafacial (12.6 mm), and transolivary (12.8 mm); and the mediolateral axis for the supracollicular (9.1 mm) and infracollicular (7 mm) EZs. The safe working areas were 46.7 mm2 for the perioculomotor, 21.3 mm2 for the supracollicular, 14.8 mm2 for the infracollicular, 33.1 mm2 for the supratrigeminal, 34.3 mm2 for the suprafacial, 21.9 mm2 for the infrafacial, and 51.7 mm2 for the transolivary EZs. CONCLUSIONS: The largest safe distance in most EZs corresponded to the depth, followed by the rostrocaudal axis and, finally, the mediolateral axis. The transolivary had the largest safe working area of all EZs. The supracollicular EZ had the largest safe area to access the midbrain tectum and the suprafacial EZ for the floor of the fourth ventricle.

Microsurgical approaches to the cerebellar interpeduncular region: qualitative and quantitative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The cerebellar interpeduncular region (CIPR) is a gate for dorsolateral pontine and cerebellar lesions accessed through the supracerebellar infratentorial approach (SCITa), the occipital transtentorial approach (OTa), or the subtemporal transtentorial approach (STa). The authors sought to compare the exposures of the CIPR region that each of these approaches provided. METHODS: Three approaches were performed bilaterally in eight silicone-injected cadaveric heads. The working area, area of exposure, depth of the surgical corridor, length of the interpeduncular sulcus (IPS) exposed, and bridging veins were statistically studied and compared based on each approach. RESULTS: The OTa provided the largest working area (1421 mm2; p < 0.0001) and the longest surgical corridor (6.75 cm; p = 0.0006). Compared with the SCITa, the STa provided a larger exposure area (249.3 mm2; p = 0.0148) and exposed more of the length of the IPS (1.15 cm; p = 0.0484). The most bridging veins were encountered with the SCITa; however, no significant differences were found between this approach and the other approaches (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: To reach the CIPR, the STa provided a more extensive exposure area and more linear exposure than did the SCITa. The OTa offered a larger working area than the SCIT and the STa; however, the OTa had the most extensive surgical corridor. These data may help neurosurgeons select the most appropriate approach for lesions of the CIPR.

A home-based multidisciplinary programme for Down syndrome adults with muscular temporomandibular disorder.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Down syndrome (DS) present functional and anatomical alterations that may negatively impact their health and quality of life. Down syndrome patients have been shown to have a high prevalence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), but little is known about the diagnosis, treatment and prevention in these individuals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a home-based multidisciplinary programme on muscular TMD in DS adults. METHODS: After being diagnosed with TMD-related masticatory muscle disorder, 20 adult men and 20 adult women with DS received an educational material with instructions on how to perform daily home facial self-massage and exercises for orofacial and masticatory muscles. Participants were also provided with educational information on TMD. Those who failed to perform at least 50% of the programme (23 days) were considered non-adherent. Oral parafunctional behaviours, facial pressure-pain threshold and maximum mouth opening were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients adhered to the programme as opposed to 15 non-adherent patients. Statistically significant improvements in all parameters were observed among adherent patients, except for the number of parafunctions. CONCLUSION: The proposed home-based multidisciplinary programme seemed to be effective in improving some aspects related to muscular TMD in DS adults.

Arch of cricoid cartilage anatomical variation: morphological and radiological aspects.

The cricoid cartilage serves as an anatomical reference for several surgical procedures for access to the airway. Additionally, it serves as an attachment point for muscles that move the vocal folds. We present a case where the cricoid cartilage arch is divided into distinct superior and inferior arches, with a fibrous membrane between them. We did not find any similar description to this case in the literature, which makes it unique to date. This type of variation is important knowledge for clinicians and surgeons during airway management in the anterior neck region. The presence of this variation could induce an error during a palpation of the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, realized in clinical examination and surgical or emergency procedures.

Surviving a transfixing gunshot wound to the head 70 years ago.

Surviving a gunshot wound to the head is a rare event, particularly in the past when medical treatment was much less advanced than it is today. Moreover, the finding of such a case as an identified specimen within a museum collection is even more uncommon. This led us to report on this unique case in this paper as it poses a challenge to forensic anthropology and provides a unique educational oppourtunity. The skull from the Collection at the Cranium Museum in the Department of Morphology and Genetic at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) dates back to 1946. For trauma registration the bone location, severity, trauma aetiology, trauma classification, description, callus formation, periosteal reaction, degree and success of repair, and an estimate of the time elapsed since the trauma, were all assessed. To explore the case radiologically a CT scan of the skull was performed. Considering the survival of the patient and the morphology of the wound it is likely that the injury was caused by a small calibre, low-velocity gunshot. The bullet path shows an almost vertical direction on the right side of the individual's splanchno and neurocranium. The path of the projectile is consistent with a suicide attempt, although the possibility of a homicide simulating a suicide cannot be discarded. This case highlights how informative such cases can be to the practice of forensic anthropology.

Morphometric analysis of the internal auditory canal by computed tomography imaging.

BACKGROUND: Many clinical and experimental studies have been done to analyze the anatomical and functional aspects of the internal auditory canal (IAC) in human beings since there are great inter-individual variability and structural variations that may occur regarding the other adjacent structures. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to characterize the morphology of the internal auditory canal (IAC) during development using high resolution computed tomography (CT) and to analyze its dimensions, which will be determined by measuring the nearby areas and structures using a system of digital image processing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CT images of the IAC of 110 normal subjects aged 1 to 92 years (mean age, 46.5 years) of both genders were reviewed to determine the shape, area, opening width (OW), longitudinal length (LL), vertical diameter (VD) and distance from the vestibular aqueduct. RESULTS: The shapes observed in children and adults were funnel-shaped (74% and 58.3%, respectively), cylindrical (22% and 30.9%, respectively) and bud-shaped (4% and 10.8%, respectively). The measurements by CT in children were: area= 50.30 mm(2), OW = 7.53 mm, length = 11.17 mm, VD = 4.82 mm and the distance between the IAC and the vestibular aqueduct (VA) = 12.63 mm. In adults, the measurements were: area = 44.64 mm(2), OW = 7.10 mm, length = 9.84 mm, VD = 4.47 mm and the distance between IAC and VA = 11.17 mm. CONCLUSIONS: CT images showed that the IAC has different shapes and when the measurements obtained for children were compared with those of adults, the parameters that presented statistically significant differences in either gender were length and diameter.

Anatomical variation of the brachiocephalic trunk and common carotid artery in neck dissection / Variación anatómica del tronco braquicefálico y arteria carótida común en disecciones de cuello

Variations in the trajectory of the brachiocephalic trunk and the common carotid artery predispose to disorders which might be critical in a tracheotomy and/or surgeries. Dissection of 110 formol fixed adult cadavers, both sexes, were performed to increase the anatomic knowledge of the neck vessels and its variations. Cadavers were from the Laboratory of Descriptive and Topographic Anatomy of the Federal University of São Paulo- Paulista Medical School- UNIFESP-EPM. In 109 of these cadavers no variations were found while in one (0.9%) it was possible to observe a variation in the trajectory of the brachiocephalic trunk and in the right common carotid artery.

Las variaciones en el trayecto del tronco braquiocefálico y de la arteria carótida común predisponen a complicaciones que pueden ser fatales durante una traqueotomía y/o cirugías. Con el objetivo de ampliar el conocimiento anatómico de estos vasos del cuello y de sus variaciones, decidimos diseccionar 110 cadáveres, formalizados, adultos, de ambos los sexos, provenientes del Laboratorio de Anatomía Descriptiva y Topográfica de la Universidad Federal de São Paulo-Escuela Paulista de Medicina ¡ UNIFESP-EPM. En 109 (99,1%) de los cadáveres no encontramos variaciones En un caso (0,9%) observamos variación en el trayecto del tronco braquiocefálico y de la arteria carótida común derecha.

Immunohistochemical expression of collagen type IV antibody in the articular disc of the temporomandibular joint of human fetuses.

The objective of this paper was to study the morphology of the articular disc and analyze the immunohistochemical expression of the marker of type IV collagen in the articular disc of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of human fetuses of different gestational ages. Twenty TMJ from human fetuses aging from 21 to 24 weeks of intrauterine life were studied. The TMJ were supplied by the Federal University of Uberaba. The ages of the fetuses were determined by measuring the crown-rump length (CRL). Macroscopically, the fetuses were fixed in a formalin solution at 10% and dissected by removing the skin and the subcutaneous tissue, exposing the deep structures. An immunohistochemical marker of type IV collagen was used in order to characterize the presence of blood vessels in the central region of the temporomandibular joint disc. Analysis of the immunohistochemical marker of type IV collagen showed the presence of blood vessels in the central region of the temporomandibular disc in human fetuses.

Anatomía y variaciones del tronco celíaco / Anatomy and variations of the celiac trunk

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la anatomía del tronco celíaco a través de sus diámetro, longitud, origen y variación de sus ramos. Fueron disecados 69 cadáveres fijados en formalina al 10 por ciento en los Laboratorios Anatomía de la Universidad Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Universidad Lusíadas de Santos y Universidad Santo Amaro (UNISA), Brasil y 20 cadáveres del Servicio de Verificación de Óbitos de la Universidad Sao Paulo (USP) y de la Universidad Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Brasil. Las disecciones de la región del tronco celíaco fueron realizadas después de hacerlo con la cavidad peritoneal. Los resultados obtenidos permitieron llegar a las siguientes conclusiones: 1) La longitud media del tronco celíaco hasta su primera rama, la arteria gástrica izquierda y/o esplénica en 81 cadáveres fue de 1,23 cm en el sexo masculino y 1,18 cm en el femenino. Verificamos como primer ramo del tronco celíaco, la arteria gástrica izquierda en 55 (67,90 por ciento), arteria esplénica en dos (2.47 por ciento), ambas en seis (7,41 por ciento), y en 18 (22,22 por ciento), las tres arterias trifurcándose en la misma altura formando el triple de Haller. 2) La medida de la longitud del tronco celíaco hasta su último ramo, la arteria hepática común y/o esplénica en 68 cadáveres, tuvo una longitud media de 1,74 cm en el sexo masculino y 1,74 cm en el femenino. Verificamos como último ramo del tronco celíaco, la arteria hepática común en 13 (19,12 por ciento), la arteria esplénica en cuatro (5.88 por ciento), ambas en 33 (48,53 por ciento) y en 18 (22,22 por ciento), las tres arterias trifurcándose en la misma altura. 3) La medida del diámetro del tronco celíaco en 77 cadáveres tuvo una mediana de 0.65 cm en el sexo masculino y 0,67 cm en el femenino. 4) La medida de la distancia entre el tronco celíaco y la arteria mesentérica superior en 76 cadáveres, tuvo una mediana de 0,72 cm en el sexo masculino y 0,74 cm en el femenino. 5) El tronco celíac...

The aim of this study was to analyze anatomy of the celiac trunk through its diameter, length, emission and variation of its branches. Sixty-nine cadavers fixed in 10 percent formalin solution were dissected in the anatomy laboratories of the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Lusiadas of Santos University (UNILUS) and Santo Amaro University (UNISA) and 20 non-fixed cadavers from Death Verification Services, of the Sao Paulo University (USP) and Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM). Dissection of the trunk celiac of these cadavers was performed after opening of the peritoneal cavity. The obtained results allowed us to conclude the following: 1) Mensuration of the length from the celiac trunk up to its first branch, the left gastric and/or splenic artery in 81 cadavers with a mean length of 1.23 cm in males, and 1.18 cm in females. We verified as the first branch of the celiac trunk, the left gastric artery in 55 ( 67.90 percent), splenic artery in two (2.47 percent), both in six (7.41 percent), and in 18 (22.22 percent) the three arteries trifiircating at the same level, forming the Haller's tripod. 2) Mensuration of the length from the celiac trunk up to its last artery, the common hepatic and/or splenic artery in 68 cadavers, with a mean length of 1.74 cm in males, 1.74 cm in females. We verified as the last branch of the celiac trunk, the common hepatic artery in 13 (19.12 percent), the splenic in four (5.88 percent), both in 33 (48.53 percent) and 18 (22.22 percent) the three arteries trifiircating at the same level. 3) Mensuration of the celiac trunk diameter in 77 cadavers had a mean of 0.65 cm in males and 0.67 cm females. 4) Mensuration of the distance between the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery in 76 cadavers had a mean of 0.72 cm in males and 0.74 cm in females. 5) The celiac trunk emitted in 73 (82.02 percent) out of the 89 cadavers the left gastric, splenic and hepatic arteries. In the remaining 16(17.98 percent)...

Morphological analysis of the vestibular aqueduct by computerized tomography images.

OBJECTIVE: In the last two decades, advances in the computerized tomography (CT) field revise the internal and medium ear evaluation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the morphology and morphometric aspects of the vestibular aqueduct on the basis of computerized tomography images (CTI). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Computerized tomography images of vestibular aqueducts were acquired from patients (n=110) with an age range of 1-92 years. Thereafter, from the vestibular aqueducts images a morphometric analysis was performed. Through a computerized image processing system, the vestibular aqueduct measurements comprised of its area, external opening, length and the distance from the vestibular aqueduct to the internal acoustic meatus. RESULTS: The morphology of the vestibular aqueduct may be funnel-shaped, filiform or tubular and the respective proportions were found to be at 44%, 33% and 22% in children and 21.7%, 53.3% and 25% in adults. The morphometric data showed to be of 4.86 mm(2) of area, 2.24 mm of the external opening, 4.73 mm of length and 11.88 mm of the distance from the vestibular aqueduct to the internal acoustic meatus, in children, and in adults it was of 4.93 mm(2), 2.09 mm, 4.44 mm, and 11.35 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Computerized tomography showed that the vestibular aqueduct presents high morphological variability. The morphometric analysis showed that the differences found between groups of children and adults or between groups of both genders were not statistically significant.

Expressão imunoistoquímica do anticorpo de colágeno tipo VII no disco articular da articulaçãotemporomandibular de fetos humanos / Immunohistochemical expression of collagen type VII antibody in the human fetal temporomandibular joint discs

Objetivo: Estudar a morfologia do disco articular e analisar a expressãoimunoistoquímica do marcador de colágeno tipo VII no disco articular daarticulação temporomandibular de fetos humanos em diferentes idadesgestacionais. Métodos: Vinte articulações temporomandibulares defetos humanos entre 13 e 24 semanas de vida intra-uterina foram estudadas. As articulações temporomandibulares foram provenientesda coleção da Universidade Federal de Uberaba. As idades dos fetosforam determinadas pela mensuração do comprimento cabeça–nádega.Macroscopicamente, os fetos foram fixados em solução de formalina a10% e dissecados pela remoção da pele e tela subcutânea, expondo asestruturas profundas. Um marcador imunoistoquímico do colágeno tipoVII foi utilizado a fim de determinar sua presença na membrana basaldo disco articular da articulação temporomandibular. Resultados: Aanálise imunoistoquímica do marcador de colágeno tipo VII demonstroua presença desta proteína na região central e na porção superior dodisco articular da articulação temporomandibular de fetos humanos.Conclusão: A marcação de colágeno tipo VII no disco articular daarticulação temporomandibular no segundo trimestre de gestaçãodemonstrou que o disco articular, do ponto de vista biológico estrutural,é provido de membrana basal em suas porções central e superior.

Relationship of the celiac trunk with median arcuate ligament of the diaphragm

RESUMEN: En el presente trabajo se investigaron las posiciones del ligamento arqueado mediano con relación al tronco celíaco, y las medidas de sobreposición y distancia entre estas dos estructuras. Además, fueron realizadas medidas de algunas variables como la longitud y el diámetro del tronco celíaco, estudios histológicos de los pilares del diafragma y de su ligamento arqueado mediano. Utilizamos 63 cadáveres fijados en solución de formalina al 10% y 20 cadáveres no fijados, adultos, de ambos sexos. Las disecciones del área del tronco celíaco fueron realizadas después de disecar la cavidad peritoneal, en los laboratorios de la Disciplinas de Anatomía de la UNIFESP-EPM, UNILUS y UNISA, y durante las necropsias en los Servicios de Verificación de Óbitos de la UNIFESP-EPM y USP, Brasil. Para el análisis morfológico, a nivel de microscopía de luz, de tres cadáveres no fijados escogidos al azar, fueron retirados fragmentos del ligamento arqueado mediano de 0.5 cm de alto por 1.5cm de largo. Luego fueron procesados según técnicas tradicionales de inclusión. Se efectuaron cortes de 5 µm, los cuales fueron teñidos con hematoxilina-eosina y tricrómico de Masson. Los resultados obtenidos permitieron llegar a las siguientes conclusiones: 1) Las posiciones del ligamento arqueado mediano en el tronco celíaco fueron independientes del sexo. En 12 (14.46%) de 83 cadáveres, se pudo observar al tronco celíaco distante del ligamento arqueado. En 35 (42.17%) este ligamento era tangente al tronco celíaco y en 36 (43.37%) se sobreponía a este vaso. El promedio de la distancia entre el ligamento arqueado mediano y el tronco celíaco fue de 0.94 cm y la de sobreposición 0.42 cm; 2) los resultados histológicos del análisis del ligamento arqueado mediano mostraron al tejido conjuntivo denso, infiltrado por células adiposas, vasos sanguíneos y nervios. Fueron observadas fibras musculares estriadas, entremezcladas con fibras colágenas.

Origin of inferior phrenic arteries in the celiac trunk

RESUMEN: El conocimiento de las variaciones anatómicas arteriales es de gran importancia para los diagnósticos clínico, radiológico y quirúrgico. Con relación a las arterias frénicas inferiores que irrigan el diafragma, se tiene conocimiento que éstas presentan variaciones referentes a su origen. Disecamos la cavidad abdominal de 89 cadáveres adultos de ambos sexos, de los cuales 69 fueron fijados en solución de formalina a 10%, y 20 no fijados. Los cadáveres fijados fueron disecados en los laboratorios de Anatomía de la Universidad Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, en la Universidad de Santo Amaro-UNISA, y en la Universidad Lusíadas de Santos, UNILUS. Los cadáveres no fijados fueron disecados en los Servicios de Verificación de Óbitos de la capital (USP y UNIFESP), Brasil. Se verificó la emisión de arterias frénicas inferiores a partir del tronco celíaco y el lugar de origen de éstas. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron la presencia de arterias frénicas inferiores en 31 (34.83%) de los 89 cadáveres. En los otros 58 (65.17%) el tronco celíaco no emitió tal ramo. También se verificó en 19 (21.35%) de los 89 cadáveres, la arteria frénica inferior con origen en el contorno izquierdo del tronco celíaco, en 5 (5.62%) ésta presentaba su origen en el contorno derecho y en 7 (7.86%) emitía dos arterias frénicas, mientras que 5 de éstas se originaban separadamente de cada lado del tronco celíaco y 2 (2.25%) de un único tronco. Estos resultados permiten considerar el origen de las arterias frénicas inferiores en el tronco celíaco como una variación anatómica.

Morphology and ultrastructure of the temporomandibular joint disc in human fetuses 21 to 28 weeks old

Ultrastructure of human fetuses temporomandibular joint is poorly understood specially by scanning electron microscopy and cryofracture techniques. In this work, the morphology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articular disc and its insertions was examined in 12 human fetuses. Four TMJs were sectioned in the frontal and sagittal planes and five were cryofractured prior to examination using light and scanning electron microscopy. The three remaining TMJs were fixed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained with HE and NMC trichrome. The articular disc inserted into the mandibular head, temporal bone, joint capsule and upper head of the lateral pterygoid muscle. The fibrous architecture of this disc was complex, with longitudinal fibers predominating in the upper and lower regions, and interposed transverse and oblique fibers predominating in the central region.

Anatomia do aqueduto do vestíbulo por tomografia computadorizada em diferentes grupos etários / Anatomy of the vestibular aqueduct by computerized tomography in different age groups

Objetivo: Avanços no campo da tomografia computadorizada (TC) revolucionaram a avaliação da orelha média e interna nas últimas duas décadas, pois a anatomia do osso temporal é muito complexa devido a grande quantidade de elementos que apresenta muito próximos entre si. O propósito deste estudo foi identificar a morfologia e morfometria do aqueduto do vestibulo por tomografia computadorizada em diferentes grupos etários. Material e método: Foram utilizados para este estudo 110 pacientes com idades entre 1 a 92 anos, sendo 54 do sexo masculino e 56 do sexo feminino que foram divididos em dois grupos, os quais foram submetidos à tomografia computadorizada em plano axial para analisar sua forma, assim como foram mensurados sua área, abertura externa, comprimento e distância do aqueduto do vestíbulo ao meato acústico interno, através de um sistema de processamento computadorizado de imagens, para posterior avaliação foram utilizados os testes estatísticos de Wilcoxon e MannWhitney. Resultados: As formas foram classificadas no grupo I das crianças em; funil (44 por cento), filiforme (34 por cento), e tubular (22 por cento). No grupo 11 dos adultos em; filiforme (53,3 por cento), tubular (25 por cento) e funil (21,7 por cento). Os valores tomográficos no grupo I para as crianças foram de área 4,86mm2, 2,24mm de abertura externa, 4,73mm para comprimento, e de 11,88mm de distância do aqueduto do vestibulo para o meato acústico interno. No grupo 11 para os adultos foram de área 4,93mm2, 2,09mm de abertura externa, 4,44mm de comprimento, e de 11,35mm de distância do aqueduto do vestíbulo para o meato acústico interno. Conclusões: A tomografia computadorizada demonstrou que o aqueduto do vestíbulo apresenta formas muito variáveis, e quando comparados os valores obtidos das mensurações entre crianças e adultos não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes, em ambos os sexos.