Narrative review

The petrotympanic canal (Huguier canal): Evolutionary, anatomical, and medical perspectives

Ferdinando Paternostroverified— Università degli Studi di Firenze

Published on 9 August 2026Version 1

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Abstract

The petrotympanic canal, traditionally referred to as Civinini's or Huguier's canal, represents an anatomical passage connecting the middle ear and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Despite its early description, its structural complexity and functional significance have often been underestimated. In this study, we combined historical, anatomical, and comparative approaches to clarify its morphology, content, and potential evolutionary role. Morphometric analysis of 195 recent human skulls confirmed its constant presence. At the same time, comparative assessment across 27 primate specimens showed that the canal is consistently present in humans and great apes but absent in non-anthropoid, quadrupedal primates. This distribution pattern suggests that the canal may represent a derived feature associated with craniofacial reorganization in bipedal or facultatively bipedal taxa. Clinically, its neurovascular and ligamentous contents highlight potential implications for otological symptoms, TMJ dysfunction, and pathological spread between the middle ear and infratemporal regions.

Original publication

This entry carries the summary of the work. The full text, with methods, results and figures, is at the publisher.

Papini A, Montemurro N, Paternostro F, Belviso I, Galli M, Martini P, Uccelli L, Moggi-Cecchi J, Oxilia G. The petrotympanic canal (Huguier canal): Evolutionary, anatomical, and medical perspectives. The Anatomical Record 2026. doi:10.1002/ar.70199

https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70199
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42017511/

Anatomical classification

Systems:: Skeletal system

Content provenance

Translation

Italian translation of «The petrotympanic canal (Huguier canal): Evolutionary, anatomical, and medical perspectives» by Papini A, Montemurro N, Paternostro F, Belviso I, Galli M, Martini P, Uccelli L, Moggi-Cecchi J, Oxilia G. Source: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70199 Original work distributed under the CC BY 4.0 licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.it). Translation by Redazione AIVA. Changes from the original: Sintesi del lavoro originale: abstract riprodotto integralmente come consentito dalla licenza CC BY 4.0, con traduzione italiana a fronte, citazione completa e rimando al testo integrale presso l’editore. Il testo completo non è riprodotto. This publication is not approved or endorsed by the authors of the original work.

Licence

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