Temporal Bone Anatomy

Foramen lacerum

Large hole found and the junctions of temporal, sphenoid, and occipital bone. Medial of the three foramen

Temporal Bone

Cranial bone that protects the base and side regions of the brain

Squamous part

Smooth, thin, superior project of the temporal bone

Tympanic part

Region of temporal bone between squamous and mastoid parts; surrounds ear canal

Petrous part

Rough, irregular portion of external base of skull

Mandibular fossa

Depression in squamous park below zygomatic process

Zygomatic process

Anterior extension from lower squamous part or temporal bone; makes up posterior section zygomatic arch

External acoustic meatus

Opening along external surface of temportal part; opening to eardrum

Styloid Process

Narrow projection from junction of tympanic and petrous part

Mastoid Process

Large protrusion later to styloid process and posterior to external auditory meatus

Jugular foramen

Opening along petrous part of temporal bone and occipital bone

Carotid canal

Hole on the inferior surface of petrous part anterior to jugular

Stylomastoid foramen

Small hole on mastoid part between styloid and mastoid process

sigmoid sinus

Hole posterior to mastoid process

internal acoustic meatus

occipitomastoid suture