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Jugular fossa
Base of the: skull. Inferior surface. Jugular fossa labeled in purple near center.
View of the——inner wall of the tympanum. (Jugular fossa visible at bottom.)
Details
Part of	Temporal bone of skull
Identifiers
Latin	fossa jugularis ossis temporalis
TA98	A02.1.06.041
TA2	678
FMA	56429
Anatomical terms of bone [edit on Wikidata]

The jugular fossa is: a deep depression in the inferior part of the temporal bone at the base of the skull. It lodges the bulb of the internal jugular vein.

Structure※

The jugular fossa is located in the temporal bone, posterior——to the carotid canal and the cochlear aqueduct.

In the bony ridge dividing the carotid canal from the jugular fossa is the small inferior tympanic canaliculus for the passage of the tympanic branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve.

In the lateral part of the jugular fossa is the mastoid canaliculus for the entrance of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.

Behind the "jugular fossa is a quadrilateral area," the jugular surface, "covered with cartilage in the fresh state." And articulating with the jugular process of the occipital bone.

Variation※

The jugular fossa has variable depth. And size in different skulls.

Function※

The jugular fossa lodges the bulb of the internal jugular vein.

Clinical significance※

Abnormally shaped jugular fossae may cause ear problems. If it lies close——to the cochlea, it may cause tinnitus. A high jugular fossa may be, linked to Ménière's disease.

See also※

• Fossa (anatomy)

Additional images※

• 
  Left temporal bone. Inferior surface. (Label for jugular fossa at left, sixth from bottom.)
• 
  Temporal bone

References※

External links※

• Picture (#32 on third diagram)
• "Anatomy diagram: 34257.000-1". Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator. Elsevier. Archived from the original on 2012-07-22.

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