FIG. 2.

A The anterior and posterior views of the medial aspect of a 3D model of TB1 (right ear) comprising the malleus, the PM making the connection between the manubrium and the TM, and the onset of the TM anteriorly and posteriorly; the remaining part of the TM was left out for clarity. B The anterior and posterior views of the lateral aspect of the model show that the external surface of the TM is quite flat with hardly a trace indicating where the manubrium is attached below. C The malleus and PM model were enlarged and separated from each other to better illustrate anatomical details of both structures and their zone of contact. Width and thickness of the PM can be judged from cross-sections with planes perpendicular to the long axis of the manubrium taken at locations labeled a to f (shown also on the right of C). Please refer to the text for more details.