Structure
- Located in the temporal bone
- Posterior to the carotid canal and the cochlear aqueduct
- Bony ridge divides carotid canal from jugular fossa
- Small inferior tympanic canaliculus for glossopharyngeal nerve
- Mastoid canaliculus for auricular branch of vagus nerve

Variation
- Jugular fossa depth and size vary in different skulls

Function
- Lodges the bulb of the internal jugular vein

Clinical significance
- Abnormally shaped jugular fossae may cause ear problems
- Close proximity to cochlea may cause tinnitus
- High jugular fossa may be linked to Ménière's disease

Related topic
- Fossa (anatomy)