Temporal Bone Anatomy and Imaging

Vascular Structures

• The internal carotid artery (ICA) traverses the carotid canal through the petrous bone before entering the subarachnoid space near the ophthalmic artery level, as described by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2
• The jugular bulb is located within the jugular foramen at the posterior aspect of the petrous bone, according to the American College of Radiology 3, 4, 5
• High-riding jugular bulb is a common anatomical variant that can be identified on temporal bone CT, as reported by the American College of Radiology 6, 7

Neural Structures and Inner Ear

• Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is a pathologic condition detectable on high-resolution temporal bone CT, as described by the American College of Radiology 8, 9, 5

Imaging Considerations

• High-resolution CT without contrast effectively demonstrates bony canal anatomy, dehiscences, vascular variants, jugular bulb position, and semicircular canal integrity, as recommended by the American College of Radiology 3, 4, 5
• The intrinsic sloping of the petrous temporal bone requires oblique reformats (Stenver and Pöschl planes) to avoid overestimating superior semicircular canal dehiscence, as noted by the American College of Radiology 8, 9, 10