SURGICAL PHOTOGRAPH OF LEFT ATTICOTOMY AND MIDDLE EAR EXPLORATION (Surgeon's view)
The posterior canal skin and tympanic membrane (tympanomeatal flap) have been reflected anteriorly, to expose the middle ear structures. The scutum has been extensively drilled down to allow the visualization of the body and short process of the incus and the neck and head of the malleus. The chorda tympani nerve courses anteriorly, lateral to the long arm of the incus, but medial to the manubrium of the malleus. The facial nerve is medial to the body of the incus.