ANATOMICAL STUDIES ON THE TYMPANIC CAVITY AND EXTERNAL ACOUSTIC MEATUS OF ONE HUMPED CAMEL (Camelus dromedarius)

Thirty two specimens collected from fresh and preserved heads were used in this study. The study provided that the tympanic cavity and external acoustic meatus in one-humped camel can be easily examined by the speculum. The shorthess of the meatus and the narrowing of its osseus internal part should be remembered because of the risk of injuring of the tympanic membrane.
The tympanic cavity can be divided into three parts, epitympa nic recess, tympanic cavity proper and tympanic bulla. The former houses the upper part of the malleus and body of the incus. The floor of the tympanic cavity proper is sieve - like, presenting a large number of formaina which contimues with the air cells of the tympanic bulla. These air cells are numerus and of variable size communicating freely with each other. The most ventral cells are larger in size and of less number than those lying directly under the floor of the tympanic cavity proper. The tensor tympani muscle is ill-developed, its fleshy origin is narow and feable, while the greater part of the muscle is tendinous. The stapedius muscle is well developed. The auditory tube of camel is short, 4-5 cm in length and this can clearfy why the tympanic cavity of this animal is easily susptable for infections.