Temporal bone: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 17:44, 18 February 2025

Anatomical structure of the skull

The temporal bone is a complex structure located at the sides and base of the skull. It plays a crucial role in protecting the brain and supporting the structures of the ear. The temporal bone is involved in several important functions, including hearing and balance, and serves as an attachment point for muscles involved in mastication and head movement.

Anatomy[edit]

The temporal bone is divided into several parts:

Squamous Part[edit]

The squamous part of the temporal bone is the flat, thin portion that forms the anterior and superior part of the temporal bone. It articulates with the parietal bone at the squamosal suture.

Tympanic Part[edit]

The tympanic part surrounds the external acoustic meatus, the opening to the ear canal. It forms the anterior and inferior walls of the ear canal.

Mastoid Part[edit]

The mastoid part is located posteriorly and contains the mastoid process, a conical projection that serves as an attachment for the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The mastoid process is filled with air cells that communicate with the middle ear.

Petrous Part[edit]

The petrous part is a pyramid-shaped portion that houses the structures of the inner ear, including the cochlea and vestibular system. It is one of the densest bones in the body, providing protection for the delicate structures within.

Functions[edit]

The temporal bone serves several key functions:

Protection: It protects the temporal lobe of the brain and the structures of the ear.
Hearing: It houses the auditory ossicles and the cochlea, essential for the process of hearing.
Balance: The vestibular system within the petrous part is crucial for maintaining balance and spatial orientation.
Muscle Attachment: Provides attachment for muscles involved in mastication and head movement.

Clinical Significance[edit]

The temporal bone is involved in various clinical conditions:

Temporal Bone Fractures: These can occur due to trauma and may affect hearing, balance, and facial nerve function.
Mastoiditis: An infection of the mastoid air cells, often a complication of otitis media.
Cholesteatoma: An abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum, which can erode the temporal bone.

Images[edit]

Related Pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Temporal bone''' is a bone in the skull that is part of the side of the skull and contributes to the base of the skull. It is one of the eight cranial bones and is located near the temple, hence its name. The temporal bone is involved in several important functions, including housing the structures of the ear and contributing to the formation of the temporomandibular joint.
+{{Short description|Anatomical structure of the skull}}
-== Structure ==
+The '''temporal bone''' is a complex structure located at the sides and base of the skull. It plays a crucial role in protecting the brain and supporting the structures of the ear. The temporal bone is involved in several important functions, including hearing and balance, and serves as an attachment point for muscles involved in mastication and head movement.
-The temporal bone is complex in shape and has several parts. These include the squamous part, the tympanic part, the styloid process, the mastoid process, and the petrous part.
-=== Squamous part ===
+==Anatomy==
-The [[squamous part]] of the temporal bone is the largest and most superiorly positioned relative to the rest of the bone. It forms the anterior and upper part of the temporal bone.
+The temporal bone is divided into several parts:
-=== Tympanic part ===
+===Squamous Part===
-The [[tympanic part]] of the temporal bone is located inferior to the squamous part and anterior to the mastoid process. It contains the external acoustic meatus, the opening that leads to the inner parts of the ear.
+The squamous part of the temporal bone is the flat, thin portion that forms the anterior and superior part of the temporal bone. It articulates with the [[parietal bone]] at the [[squamosal suture]].
-=== Styloid process ===
+===Tympanic Part===
-The [[styloid process]] is a thin, pointed piece of bone that projects down and forward from the inferior surface of the temporal bone.
+The tympanic part surrounds the external acoustic meatus, the opening to the ear canal. It forms the anterior and inferior walls of the ear canal.
-=== Mastoid process ===
+===Mastoid Part===
-The [[mastoid process]] is a large, conical prominence located posterior to the external acoustic meatus. It serves as a point of attachment for several muscles.
+The mastoid part is located posteriorly and contains the mastoid process, a conical projection that serves as an attachment for the [[sternocleidomastoid muscle]]. The mastoid process is filled with air cells that communicate with the middle ear.
-=== Petrous part ===
+===Petrous Part===
-The [[petrous part]] of the temporal bone is pyramid-shaped and is wedged in at the base of the skull between the sphenoid and occipital bones.
+The petrous part is a pyramid-shaped portion that houses the structures of the inner ear, including the [[cochlea]] and [[vestibular system]]. It is one of the densest bones in the body, providing protection for the delicate structures within.
-== Function ==
+==Functions==
-The temporal bone serves several functions. It houses the structures of the ear, which are involved in hearing and balance. It also forms part of the temporomandibular joint, which allows for movement of the jaw.
+The temporal bone serves several key functions:
-== Clinical significance ==
+* '''Protection''': It protects the temporal lobe of the brain and the structures of the ear.
-Diseases and conditions that can affect the temporal bone include [[temporal bone fracture]], [[mastoiditis]], [[otitis media]], and [[temporomandibular joint disorder]].
+* '''Hearing''': It houses the auditory ossicles and the cochlea, essential for the process of hearing.
+* '''Balance''': The vestibular system within the petrous part is crucial for maintaining balance and spatial orientation.
+* '''Muscle Attachment''': Provides attachment for muscles involved in mastication and head movement.
-== See also ==
+==Clinical Significance==
-* [[Cranial bones]]
+The temporal bone is involved in various clinical conditions:
+* '''Temporal Bone Fractures''': These can occur due to trauma and may affect hearing, balance, and facial nerve function.
+* '''Mastoiditis''': An infection of the mastoid air cells, often a complication of [[otitis media]].
+* '''Cholesteatoma''': An abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum, which can erode the temporal bone.
+==Images==
+[[File:Gray188.png|thumb|right|200px|Lateral view of the temporal bone.]]
+[[File:Gray189.png|thumb|left|200px|Medial view of the temporal bone.]]
+==Related Pages==
+* [[Skull]]
 * [[Ear]]
-* [[Temporomandibular joint]]
+* [[Cranial nerves]]
+* [[Mastoiditis]]
-[[Category:Bone]]
+[[Category:Human anatomy]]
 [[Category:Skull]]
-[[Category:Head and neck]]
+[[Category:Temporal bone]]
-{{stub}}
-<gallery>
-File:Temporal_bone_lateral5.png|Temporal bone lateral view
-File:Temporal_bone_-_animation_02.gif|Temporal bone animation
-File:Occipitomastoid_suture.png|Occipitomastoid suture
-File:SchaedelSeitlichSutur3.png|Schaedel Seitlich Sutur 3
-File:SchaedelSeitlichSutur10.png|Schaedel Seitlich Sutur 10
-File:SchaedelSeitlichSutur4.png|Schaedel Seitlich Sutur 4
-File:Gray142.png|Gray's Anatomy Plate 142
-File:Gray143.png|Gray's Anatomy Plate 143
-File:Gray144.png|Gray's Anatomy Plate 144
-File:Temporal_bone_lateral_animation.gif|Temporal bone lateral animation
-File:Left_temporal_bone_close-up_lateral_animation2.gif|Left temporal bone close-up lateral animation
-File:Cranial_bones_en.svg|Cranial bones diagram
-</gallery>