Twelve cerebello-pontine angles of the corpses of six adults were dissected with the aid of a surgical microscope. The following parameters were analyzed: the superior-inferior (vertical) and the anterior-posterior (horizontal) dimensions of the internal acoustic meatus (IAM); and the distances from the IAM to the Meckel's cave, the superior jugular foramen (SJF) and the inferior jugular foramen (IJF). We used a mathematical formula to calculate the area of the IAM. Important variations in the IAM's measurements were found, main'ly concerning its area. This study contributes to a better understanding of cerebello-pontine angle (CPA) structures and their relaionships wih osseous parameters in Brazilian individuals.
internal acoustic meatus; cerebello-pontine angle; microanatomy