Fig. 4.

Growing tegmen tympani in a sagittal section of a 12-week human fetus. A sagittal section clearly displays the discomalleolar ligament (DM) connecting the disk (D) of the temporomandibular joint to Meckel's cartilage (MC). A part of the ligament connected with the most anterior part of the tegmen tympani (TE). The petrosquamosal fissure (PSF) was visible between the horizontally located tegmen tympani and the squamous part (SQ) of the temporal bone. CH, condyle head of the mandible; D, temporomandibular joint disc; I, incus; M, malleus; OC, otic capsule; PG, parotid gland; PT, pharyngotympanic tube; TM, tympanic membrane; TY, tympanic bone.