INVITED REVIEW Insights in the Physiology of the Human Mastoid: Message to the Surgeon

Ear surgeons should be aware of the embryological, anatomical and not to forget physiological aspects of the mastoid cavity when considering this structure as a surgical approach to the temporal bone. Different anatomical ways of access have been described that allow reaching the targeted structures (cf. section 5), trying to avoid fundamental constitutive elements susceptible to injury. In our opinion, an initial better understanding of the developmental and functional aspects of the mastoid gas cells system is essential for the surgeon to justify a certain surgical approach.