A fracture classification system in which temporal bone fractures detected by computed tomography are delineated based on disruption of the otic capsule has been found to be predictive for complications of temporal bone trauma such as facial nerve injury, sensorineural deafness and cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea.

[1][2] In otospongiosis, a leading cause of adult-onset hearing loss, the otic capsule is exclusively affected.

With otospongiosis, the normally dense enchondral bone is replaced by Haversian bone, a spongy and vascular matrix that results in sensorineural hearing loss due to compromise of the conductive capacity of the inner ear ossicles.

[3] The bony labyrinth is studied in paleoanthropology as it is a good indicator for distinguishing Neanderthals and modern humans.

[4][5][6][7] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1047 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)