Musculotubal canal
- The musculotubal canal is divided into the upper canal for tensor tympani and the lower canal for the auditory tube by a shelf of bony plates called the septum of musculotubal canal.
- Canal for tensor tympani
- The tensor tympani muscle passed through. This muscle attaches into the base of handle of malleus.
- Canal for auditory tube
- The pharyngotympanic (auditory) tube about 4 cm long passes through it. This tube connects the middle ear to the nasal cavity (nasopharyx) and supplies air to the tympanic cavity.
- Part (2/3) of the auditory tube is cartilaginous and part (1/3) is bony. The bony entrance of the auditory tube lies between the carotid canal and the foramen spinosum.