Objective: The aim of this study was to define the structural relationship between the arcuate
eminence (AE) and a known fixed external landmark, the root of the zygoma (ZR), and
to determine its reliability as a consistent landmark for guiding surgical approaches.
To our knowledge, this is the only anatomical study to quantify the relationship between
the AE and the ZR.
Method: The distance from the posterior aspect of the ZR to the midpoint of the AE was measured.
Thirteen dry temporal bones and four dry skull specimens were used. The four dry skulls
were measured bilaterally using digital calipers (Mitutoyo Kanagawa, Japan), so in
total there were 21 temporal bone measurements. Student's t-test was used to compare the left and right sides.
Result: An AE was found in every specimen. The average ZR to AE distance was 30.89 mm (range:
28.16–33.30 mm). No significant differences were found between sides. No anatomical
variations or pathological conditions were noted in any of the specimens.
Conclusion: The ZR is an easily identifiable and consistent bony landmark often used by skull
base surgeons. In this investigation, we established a reliable and accurate anatomical
relationship between the ZR and AE. This relationship could assist in planning surgical
trajectories and minimizing complications when skull base pathologies are approached.
