The temporal bone houses the external ear, middle ear, and inner ear structures, which are crucial for hearing and balance, as well as multiple critical structures associated with it including cranial nerves and vasculature. This review article serves to orientate and educate radiologists and clinicians of the key structures and their important spatial relationships within the temporal bone that are commonly encountered on imaging. A solid anatomic foundation facilitates thorough systematic interpretation of the temporal bone, aids in the formulation of differential diagnoses affecting the different sites and structures within it, and facilitates surgical planning.

Pseudolesions are normal variants or artifacts that can mimic pathology. Given the complex anatomy of the head and neck region, a thorough understanding of the underlying anatomic variations in this region is imperative to avoid misinterpretation and unnecessary interventions. In this review article, we present a variety of pseudolesions in the head and neck region listed in a cephalocaudal sequence.

Three-dimensional imaging has become an essential tool in modern health care, enabling accurate diagnosis and treatment planning for a wide range of conditions. In particular, computed tomography (CT) and MRI stand out in providing detailed cross-sectional images of the human body. While both modalities serve critical roles in clinical practice, they rely on fundamentally different physical principles. This review explores the fundamental physics and image acquisition techniques of CT and MRI, including basic principles, technological advancements, advantages, and limitations.

The masticatory system refers to a functional unit of structures that include bones, teeth, muscles, joints, and ligaments. These structural components are responsible for chewing, swallowing, and speaking. The masticatory system is controlled by an intricate neurologic mechanism. This article reviews the imaging anatomy of the masticatory system with reference to its clinical relevance.

Cervical spine anatomy is complex with multiple anatomic variants that can be mistaken for pathology, especially in the setting of trauma. This article provides a comprehensive anatomic overview, detailing the structure and function of cervical vertebrae, intervertebral discs, ligaments, and muscles; emphasizing the critical role these structures play in supporting the head, protecting the spinal cord, and enabling neck movement. Using a combination of diagrams and cross-sectional imaging, we will review clinically relevant anatomy, while emphasizing important anatomic variants. This article will serve as a critical reference for clinicians, aiding accurate diagnosis, effective treatment planning, and minimizing surgical risks.

The lymphatic system in the head and neck includes superficial nodes around the head, superficial cervical nodes along the external jugular vein, and deep cervical nodes along the internal jugular vein, spinal accessory nerve, and transverse cervical artery, as well as nodes in the retropharyngeal space. This article reviews cervical lymph node anatomy and drainage patterns and summarizes the diagnostic criteria for pathologic nodes.

This article explores the anatomy of the infrahyoid neck spaces, which is defined by the layers of the deep cervical fascia, with a focus on their imaging characteristics, contents, and anatomic relationships. A space-based approach to differential diagnosis is presented to aid clinical decision-making and management. The article also addresses common anatomic variants and their clinical relevance to avoid diagnostic errors and surgical complications. In addition, the pathways connecting the infrahyoid neck to the superior mediastinum are discussed, highlighting their importance in the spread of disease and treatment planning.

Owing to the complex anatomy, the appropriate selection of imaging modalities and interpretation of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and oral cavity demand a comprehensive knowledge of the anatomic relationships within and among these regions, common pathologies, and interpretative nuances critical for treatment planning. This article outlines the crucial anatomy on multimodality cross-sectional imaging, anatomic relationships that frame various pathologies of the region, and the associated anatomically grounded considerations essential for treatment planning.

A comprehensive understanding of the anatomic structures of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is paramount for the diagnosis of pathologic processes, the planning of endoscopic surgical procedures, and the implementation of neuronavigation techniques during specific interventions. It is imperative for otolaryngologists, maxillofacial surgeons, and head and neck surgeons to recognize these variations, as certain anatomic variations have been observed to predispose patients to sinonasal pathologies due to obstruction of the drainage pathways. These variations can also affect the rate of complications and the success of endoscopic surgery.

The suprahyoid neck encompasses fascia-bound spaces between the skull base and the hyoid bone. These spaces are readily identified on cross-sectional imaging, and they can be used to generate an anatomically based differential diagnosis of deep neck lesions based on their space of origin. This article reviews the imaging anatomy of the suprahyoid neck spaces as defined by the deep cervical fascia and illustrates pathology involved in each individual space.

Imaging anatomy of the orbit and skull base can seem daunting at first glance. Navigating the many skull base foramina, compartments, and variants can be challenging without an in-depth knowledge of the structures themselves. This article will give a detailed review of the normal anatomy of the skull base and orbit, as well as important variants when considering procedural interventions in the orbit or skull base.

The imaging anatomy of the vascular structures in the head and neck can be highly variable. Interpretation of head and neck imaging, therefore, requires knowledge of the normal and variant vascular anatomy. This article reviews the anatomy of the vascular structures of the extracranial head and neck as they appear on CT and MR imaging.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons at research-intensive (Carnegie R1) institutions increasingly operate inside complex, consolidated academic health systems that demand leaders fluent in both operative realities and multibillion-dollar enterprise economics. This article provides a pragmatic roadmap for surgeons who intend to transition from high-volume operator to senior executive (eg, chief medical officer, system president, provost, or similar). Drawing on current models of mission-aligned funds flow, the author demonstrates how transparent blends of productivity incentives, protected teaching/research blocks, quality holdbacks, and small innovation pools can strengthen retention, extramural funding growth, and trust when the underlying formulas are openly shared.

Practicing within an academic dental school environment offers many advantages for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. In the dental school setting, surgeons typically work concomitantly in university hospitals or teaching institutions, where their roles extend beyond clinical care to include teaching, research, and mentoring. Academic surgeons often manage complex or rare surgical cases and contribute to the advancement of the field through scholarly publications and participation in academic conferences. Across academic medical centers, novel practice models are being utilized to fairly compensate surgeons and specialists. Multiple contemporary models are highlighted in this article.

This article explores the advantages, structure, and challenges of a military career in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS), contrasting it with traditional private practice paths. It outlines educational routes into military OMS, including scholarships and direct accession, and highlights the 12 military OMS residency programs that offer comprehensive training. The text emphasizes personal growth, leadership development, and a broad scope of professional opportunities in the military, while acknowledging challenges like relocation and deployments. Testimonies from current and former military oral and maxillofacial surgeons reveal high preparedness for both academic and private sector careers, with many valuing the training, camaraderie, and purpose gained from military service.

Few models in modern oral and maxillofacial surgery practice rival the efficiency of a single site with multiple surgeons. This article illustrates the many advantages and challenges of this practice setting, highlighting differences seen from other types of practices. Keys to success include equality in decision-making, fair compensation minimizing competition yet rewarding productivity, and efficient scheduling with minimal variation among the doctors. Creating a systems-based approach to minimize errors, consistently provide high staff and patient satisfaction and allowing each doctor an opportunity to pursue interests outside the office are the hallmarks of an independent setting that fosters collaboration and success.

Expanded scope practice, as a subspeciality or blended with core oral and maxillofacial surgery, are increasingly available and attractive practice models. One of the benefits to the surgeon and their community (academic or private) is the outsized impact for the specialty and upon the patients treated. This article assists in identifying the value proposition for expanded scope surgeons in academic and private practice. A correct understanding of these principles prepares individuals seeking to enter such practices and facilitates the negotiation of resources necessary to create thriving sustainable careers in expanded scope surgery.

Hospital-medical school practices and their training programs exist in a unique environment with a focus rooted in the medical, or maxillofacial aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS). This environment focuses on major maxillofacial surgical cases. The teaching role of the academic oral and maxillofacial surgeon is rooted in direct OMS resident training, rotating otolaryngology and plastic surgery resident training, as well as a minor role in medical student training. Dental student teaching and clinic proctoring requirements are replaced with research responsibilities. There is a tendency towards an interdisciplinary approach to didactics, research, and direct patient care.

An OMS working in an integrated-managed care organization is vastly different from working in a traditional private practice. This article explores the major differences that an OMS will encounter in such a practice. Areas covered include employment status, clinical practice, and practice management scope. Practicing in an integrated-managed care organization offers oral and maxillofacial surgeons structured-employment with salary, benefits, and potential leadership roles. The model supports comprehensive, team-based care with a defined scope influenced by insurance coverage. Surgeons may focus on specialized practice areas and engage in clinical research, depending on organizational priorities.

Dr James Q. Swift reflects on his extensive journey through leadership in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS), tracing his development from early student government roles to national and international prominence. He emphasizes that leadership in the specialty begins with active participation and is nurtured through consistent dedication, humility, and collaboration. He recounts the trials and rewards of rising through academia and organized dentistry, including testimony before Congress and board service in malpractice defense. The article serves as a motivational guide for younger OMS professionals, encouraging early involvement, sustained effort, and ethical commitment to elevate both the profession and the communities.