petrosal

[ pi-troh-suhl ]

adjective

1. petrous; hard or stony.
2. Anatomy. of or relating to the petrous portion of the temporal bone.

petrosal

/ pɛˈtrəʊsəl /

adjective

1. anatomy of, relating to, or situated near the dense part of the temporal bone that surrounds the inner ear

Other Words From

• subpe·trosal adjective
• super·pe·trosal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of petrosal¹

1735–45; < Latin petrōs ( us ) rocky ( petro- ¹, -ose ¹ ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of petrosal¹

C18: from Latin petrōsus full of rocks, from petra a rock, from Greek

Example Sentences

Anteriorly is the commencement of the Eustachian tube and in close proximity to the tympanum lies the carotid canal, and at one point also the superior petrosal sinus.

From Project Gutenberg

Superior and inferior petrosal sinus.

From Project Gutenberg

In its course each lateral sinus receives two petrosal sinuses, which pass from the cavernous sinus backwards along the upper and lower borders of the petrous part of the temporal bone.

From Project Gutenberg

The yellow bats differ less from the red bats than does the hoary bat, L. cinereus, which differs from all of the others as follows: talonid on m3 larger; p4 single-rooted instead of double-rooted; hypocone on M1 and M2 smaller; coronoid process lower; ossified part of tympanic ring, which shields the petrosal, larger; humerus relatively shorter; forearm relatively longer; first phalanx of middle finger relatively shorter; presternum including keel longer than wide instead of vice versa.

From Project Gutenberg

In fractures crossing the apex of the petrous portion of the temporal bone, the great and small superficial petrosal nerves may be ruptured, and the soft palate and uvula are paralysed and there is difficulty in swallowing; there are also painful sensations in the ear.

From Project Gutenberg