Temporal bone

Function

Houses the organs of hearing and balance within its dense petrous pyramid, forms the temporomandibular joint with the mandible, and anchors muscles of mastication and the sternocleidomastoid via its mastoid process.

Landmarks

• Zygomatic process
• Mastoid process
• Styloid process
• External acoustic meatus
• Internal acoustic meatus
• Petrous part
• Mandibular (glenoid) fossa

Articulations (joints)

• Parietal bone
• Sphenoid bone
• Occipital bone
• Zygomatic bone
• Mandible (temporomandibular joint)
• Ear ossicles within

Clinical relevance

Mastoiditis follows untreated otitis media, especially in children. Fractures of the petrous temporal bone produce Battle's sign (bruising behind the ear), facial nerve palsy and hearing loss.