Facial recess

The facial recess of the petrous temporal bone is a small recess in the posterior wall of the mesotympanum lateral to the pyramidal eminence and stapedius muscle origin. The upper mastoid portion of the facial nerve runs immediately posterior to it, giving it its name. Medial to the pyramidal eminence is the sinus tympani.

It is of clinical importance for its surgical approach to access the round window when performing cochlear implantation.