Year: 2025 | Month: October-December | Volume: 10 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 99-106
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20250415
Morphometric Characteristics of the Stapedius Muscle: A Systematic Review of Human Cadaveric Studies
Joseph Blessymol1, Harilal M.D2, Suvarna T.P3, Kalpesh Khutade4
1Department of Anatomy, Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences, Vedantaa Hospital and Research Centre, Saswand Dhundalwadi, Dahanu, Palghar- 401606, Maharashtra, MUHS, University Nashik, India
2Department of Anatomy, Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala, Trivandrum, Kerala- 695318, India
3Department of Anatomy, Annoor Dental College & Hospital, Muvattupuzha, Kerala- 686673, India
4Department of Microbiology, Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences, Vedantaa Hospital and Research Centre, Saswand Dhundalwadi, Dahanu, Palghar- 401606, Maharashtra, MUHS, University Nashik, India
Corresponding Author: Kalpesh Khutade
ABSTRACT
The stapedius muscle and its tendon play a critical role in middle ear function and maintain a close anatomical relationship with the facial nerve. Precise morphometric knowledge of the stapedius is essential for safe and effective otologic procedures. To date, no systematic review has comprehensively synthesized cadaveric data on the stapedius muscle and tendon in a standardized format. This study aimed to systematically review cadaveric studies evaluating the morphometry of the stapedius muscle and tendon, including muscle belly length and width, tendon length and width, total stapedius length, and anatomical relationships with the facial nerve. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was performed using the keywords: “stapedius muscle,” “stapedius tendon,” and “morphometric,” combined with size-related terms. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select relevant cadaveric studies. Data extraction included study location, sample size, stapedius dimensions, sex, laterality, and tendon-to-facial nerve distance. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS v23.0, calculating mean ± SD values and pooled averages across studies. Four studies encompassing 79 stapedius specimens from Turkey, the USA, and Colombia were included. Adult muscle belly length ranged from 3.15 to 4.58 mm, while fetal specimens measured 4.52 mm. Tendon length varied between 0.99- and 1.40-mm. Muscle belly width ranged from 1.19 to 1.44 mm, tendon width from 0.36 to 0.46 mm, and total stapedius length from 4.47 to 5.91 mm. The tendon-to-facial nerve distance ranged from 1.14 to 1.22 mm. Morphometric parameters were largely consistent across age groups and populations, with minor variations. The dimensions of the stapedius muscle and tendon remain relatively stable from fetal development to adulthood. Detailed knowledge of its anatomy, particularly in relation to the facial nerve, is essential for minimizing complications during retro-tympanic and facial nerve surgical interventions.
Keywords: Stapedius muscle, Stapedius tendon, Morphometry, Cadaveric study, Facial nerve, Middle ear anatomy