The temporal bone: an organ in search of a histopathology.

The pathology of the temporal bone and the inner ear in particular has been a neglected area for histopathologist. This review sets out to answer a number of questions on the topic: why is it neglected; how do you learn its anatomy; how do you process it; why do it; and who should do it? The histopathological features of cholesteatoma, otosclerosis and presbyacusis are discussed in detail and future areas of research are identified.