Temporal Bone

Where are the temporal bones located

inferior to parietal bones

What do the temporal bones form

The inferolateral aspects of the skull and parts of the cranial base

How did the temporal bones articulate get its name

Temporum means time; grey hairs appear here first

What are the parts of the temporal bones

Squamous, petrous, and tympanic

What do the bar like zygomatic and flaring squamous part of the temporal bones form

The zygomatic arch

What is the temporomandibular joint

The hinge joint between the temporal bone and lower jaw (mandible)

What does the tympanic part surround

The external acoustic meatus

What does the thick petrous portion of the temporal bones house

The middle and internal ear cavities; they contain sensory receptors for hearing and balance

What supports the temporal lobes of the brain

Middle cranial fossa; the sphenoid bone and the petrous portions of the temporal bones

What does the jugular foramen allow passage of

The internal jugular vein and three cranial nerves (9, 10, 11)

What does the carotid canal transmit

The internal carotid artery into the cranial cavity

What does the internal carotid artery supply

Over 80% of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain

Why do you hear our rapid pulse as a thundering sound during excitement

The carotid artery is so close to the inner ear

Describe the foramen lacerum

It is almost completely closed by cartilage in living people

What does the internal acoustics meatus transmit

Cranial nerves 7 and 8

What does the mastoid process act as

An anchoring site for many neck muscles

What does the styloid process act as a

An attachment point for several tongue and neck muscles, as well as for a ligament that secures the hyoid bone of the neck to the skull

What does the stylomastoid foramen allow passage of

It allows cranial nerve 7 to leave the skull