Imaging of Temporal Bone Pathology

The temporal bone is made up of three bones: the tympanic, squamous, and petrous bones. It contains three cavities: the external auditory meatus, the middle ear or tympanic cavity, the inner ear or labyrinth, and, more medially, the internal auditory meatus. The facial nerve is located within the temporal bone: first in the internal auditory meatus, between the anterior and posterior labyrinth, and then between the inner and middle ear. The VIIIth and VIIth cranial nerves are located in the internal auditory meatus. The VIth cranial nerve runs close to the anterior part of the petrous apex. The mixed nerves (IX–XI) are located in the anterior part of the jugular foramen.