Which bone houses the inner ear and is shaped like a long pyramid?

The petrous part of the temporal bone is crucial as it not only houses the inner ear but is also characterized by its distinctive long pyramid shape. The inner ear, which is responsible for both hearing and balance, is located within this bony structure. The petrous bone is situated at the base of the skull, lateral to the brainstem, and its dense, hard composition protects the sensitive structures of the inner ear, including the cochlea and the vestibular apparatus.

In contrast, the antihelix, lobe, and triangular fossa refer to different anatomical features of the ear and external ear structures, rather than bony structures housing internal components. The antihelix is part of the outer ear anatomy, specifically the curvature of the auricle. The lobe is the soft, fleshy part at the bottom of the auricle, while the triangular fossa is an indentation in the outer ear. None of these options pertain to the inner ear or its housing; thus, they are not correct in this context.