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Citation:
Deng F, Petrosal fossula. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 22 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-84881
The petrosal fossula refers to a small depression on the inferior surface of the petrous temporal bone. It is located in the ridge between the jugular fossa and external opening of the carotid canal. The petrosal fossula houses the inferior (petrous) ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve (origin of Jacobson nerve) and superiorly gives rise to the (inferior) tympanic canaliculus 1,2. The structure may be considered part of pars nervosa of the jugular foramen 3.
The petrosal fossula is distinct from and located below the external opening of the cochlear aqueduct 4,5, which in turn arises from the pyramidal fossa, the part of the roof of the jugular foramen that covers the pars nervosa 6.
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1. Chae R, Rodriguez Rubio R. Anatomy of petrous face. (2020) Handbook of clinical neurology. 170: 143-156. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-822198-3.00036-7 - Pubmed
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2. Tekdemir I, Tuccar E, Aslan A, Elhan A, Ersoy M, Deda H. Comprehensive microsurgical anatomy of the jugular foramen and review of terminology. (2001) Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia. 8 (4): 351-6. doi:10.1054/jocn.2000.0865 - Pubmed
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3. García Santos JM, Sánchez Jiménez S, Tovar Pérez M, Moreno Cascales M, Lailhacar Marty J, Fernández-Villacañas Marín MA. Tracking the glossopharyngeal nerve pathway through anatomical references in cross-sectional imaging techniques: a pictorial review. (2018) Insights into imaging. 9 (4): 559-569. doi:10.1007/s13244-018-0630-5 - Pubmed
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4. Linn J, Peters F, Moriggl B, Naidich TP, Brückmann H, Yousry I. The jugular foramen: imaging strategy and detailed anatomy at 3T. (2009) AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology. 30 (1): 34-41. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A1281 - Pubmed
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5. Liang C, Du Y, Xu J, Wu L, Liu C, Wang X, Wang H, Yu F. MR imaging of the cisternal segment of the posterior group of cranial nerves: neurovascular relationships and abnormal changes. (2010) European journal of radiology. 75 (1): 57-63. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2009.03.036 - Pubmed
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6. Constanzo F, Coelho Neto M, Nogueira GF, Ramina R. Microsurgical Anatomy of the Jugular Foramen Applied to Surgery of Glomus Jugulare via Craniocervical Approach. (2020) Frontiers in surgery. 7: 27. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2020.00027 - Pubmed
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