Hiatus for greater petrosal nerve
Hiatus canalis nervi petrosi majoris
- Synonym: Facial hiatus
- Eponym: Torin's hole
Definition
The hiatus for greater petrosal nerve, known as the facial hiatus, is a small opening in the anterior surface of the petrous part of the temporal bone. It is located lateral to the trigeminal impression and the foramen lacerum and marks the lateral endpoint of a bony groove that leads the greater petrosal nerve out. This nerve starts in the facial canal—home to the facial nerve—and exits through the hiatus. It then moves medially within this bony channel, advancing towards the foramen lacerum. There, the greater petrosal nerve meets the deep petrosal nerve, and together they become the nerve of the pterygoid canal.
References
Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 8: Head and Neck’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 826 & pp. 944.
Standring, S. (2016). ‘Chapter 28: Intracranial region’ in Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. (41st ed.) New York NY: Elsevier, pp. 431.
