Temporal Bone Anatomy and Sphenoid Ossification

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the development, major anatomical divisions, surfaces, processes, and openings of the temporal bone and sphenoid ossification centers.

Sphenoidal Conchae (of Bertin)

Structures originating from the sphenoid body that form the inferior wall of the sphenoidal sinuses in adults.

Temporal Bone Location

Positioned in the inferior and lateral portion of the skull; posterior to the sphenoid bone, anterior and lateral to the occipital bone, and inferior to the parietal bone.

Development of the Temporal Bone

The process before birth where three distinct portions—the squamous portion, tympanic bone, and petrous portion—grow and fuse together, leaving suture remnants in the form of fissures.

Petrosquamous Fissure

The fissure formed where the inferior border of the vertical squamous lamina joins the petrous portion.

Tympanic Ring (Anillo timpánico)

An incomplete bony ring, open superiorly, that elongates into a channel forming the anterior, inferior, and posterior walls of the external auditory meatus.

Tubal Process of the Tympanic Bone

A medial prolongation of the tubal portion of the tympanic bone that forms the inferolateral wall of the bony portion of the auditory tube.

Inferior or Basilar Part of the Squamous Portion

The region belonging to the cranial base that contains the articular tubercle, mandibular fossa, subtemporal surface, and secondary petrosquamous and petrotympanic fissures.

Longitudinal Root of the Zygomatic Process

The root of the zygomatic process that extends posteriorly over the process, curving superiorly to form the supramastoid crest, and features the posterior zygomatic tubercle.

Articular Tubercle (Transverse Root)

A smooth, convex eminence running laterally on the inferior surface of the temporal bone that articulates with the mandible.

Mandibular Fossa

A deep elliptical depression behind the articular tubercle, divided by the tympanosquamous fissure into an anterior articular squamous part and a posterior non-articular tympanic part.

Subtemporal Surface

A flat, smooth, triangular surface located anteriorly to the articular tubercle that forms part of the roof of the infratemporal fossa.

Parietal Notch (Escotadura parietal)

An incoming angle at the posterior end of the free circumferential border of the squamous portion that separates it from the mastoid region.

Exocranial Face of the Mastoid Portion

The external surface of the mastoid portion providing muscle attachments for the occipital belly of occipitofrontalis, sternocleidomastoid, and splenius capitis, and containing the mastoid foramen.

Suprameatal Spine

A small, sharp projection situated superior and posterior to the opening of the external acoustic meatus.

Mastoid Process (Apófisis mastoides)

A conical eminence extending inferiorly from the mastoid portion that serves as an insertion point for the sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, and longissimus capitis muscles.

Mastoid Notch (Escotadura mastoidea)

A deep anteroposterior groove on the medial side of the mastoid process where the posterior belly of the digastric muscle attaches.

Juxtamastoid Eminence

A broad, blunt ridge medial to the mastoid notch, flanked medially by a groove for the occipital artery.

Anterosuperior Face of the Petrous Portion

An endocranial surface featuring the arcuate eminence, hiatuses for greater and lesser petrosal nerves, trigeminal impression, and tegmen tympani.

Arcuate Eminence (Eminencia arcuata)

A prominent elevation on the anterosuperior petrous surface created by the underlying anterior semicircular canal.

Trigeminal Impression

A shallow depression near the apex of the petrous portion on its anterosuperior face that lodges the trigeminal ganglion.

Tegmen Tympani

The thin bony plate forming the roof of the tympanic cavity, located anterior and lateral to the arcuate eminence.

Internal Acoustic Meatus

The large canal opening on the posterosuperior face of the petrous portion that transmits the vestibulocochlear, facial, and intermediate nerves.

Sheath of the Styloid Process (Vaina de la apófisis estiloides)

A curved bony extension projecting from the thin anteroinferior petrous plate to wrap around the base of the styloid process.

Posteroinferior Face of the Petrous Portion

An exocranial face bearing the styloid process, stylomastoid foramen, jugular facet, jugular fossa, lower opening of the carotid canal, and tympanic canaliculus.

Riolan's Bouquet (Ramillete de Riolano)

The set of anatomical structures attaching to the styloid process, consisting of 2 ligaments (stylomandibular and stylohyoid) and 3 muscles (stylopharyngeus, stylohyoid, and styloglossus).

Stylomastoid Foramen

An opening located between the styloid and mastoid processes that serves as the exit for the facial nerve from the skull.

Jugular Fossa

A smooth depression anterior to the jugular facet that lodges the superior bulb of the internal jugular vein.

Intrajugular Process

A sharp ridge that divides the jugular notch on the posterior border of the petrous portion into a posterior venous segment and an anterior nervous segment.