Petrous Part of the Temporal Bone

The petrous part of the temporal bone (lat. pars petrosa ossis temporalis, pna, bna) is one of the parts of the temporal bone of the skull. It is a pyramidal bony structure located at the base of the skull.

The petrous part of the temporal bone contains the organs of hearing and balance - the cochlea, vestibule and semicircular canals. It has a base directed posteriorly and medially, an apex and three surfaces - anterior, posterior and inferior.

The anterior surface of the petrous part of the temporal bone participates in the formation of the anterior wall of the tympanic cavity. The opening of the auditory tube is located on it.

The posterior surface contains the internal auditory foramen, through which the facial nerve and labyrinthine artery pass.

The inferior surface has the stylomastoid process and the jugular notch, through which the jugular vein passes.

Thus, the petrous part of the temporal bone plays an important role in the formation of the organs of hearing and balance, and also contains openings and notches for the passage of nerves and blood vessels.

The petrous part of the temporal bone, or petrous bone, in anatomy is the visceral part of the parietal bone, which has a concave upper surface. There is an outer part (buttresses) formed by the outer and middle sagittal plates and the inner sagittal plate