[Anatomy of the petrous portion of the temporal bone].

The petrous portion of the temporal bone is a complex bony structure of the skull base that contains key components of the middle and inner ear as well as essential neurovascular elements. Due to its anatomical location and structural characteristics, it is frequently affected by traumatic, inflammatory, or neoplastic conditions. In addition to the clinical articles in this issue, this review provides a concise overview of the clinically relevant anatomy of the petrous portion, with an emphasis on radiological imaging.