Topographic · 231. Temporal and mastoid regions · Anatomy · MU Sofia

Temporal Fossa:

The temporal fossa is a shallow depression on the lateral aspect of the skull, located above the zygomatic arch and below the superior temporal line.
It forms one of the largest landmarks of the skull.
Borders:
Superiorly: Bounded by the superior temporal line.
Anteriorly: Limited by the posterior surface of the frontal process of the zygomatic bone and the posterior surface of the zygomatic process of the frontal bone.
Inferiorly: Limited by the upper border of the zygomatic arch.
Laterally: The temporal fascia forms the boundary superiorly.
Contents:
Muscles: The temporalis muscle occupies most of the temporal fossa with a wide attachment spread across it.
Vessels: Superficial temporal artery and vein, middle temporal artery and vein, deep temporal arteries and veins.
Nerves: Deep temporal nerves, zygomaticotemporal nerve, auriculotemporal nerve, and temporal branches of the facial nerve.

← br. from zygomatic n.

The mastoid process is easily palpable just behind the ears.
It has the following bony boundaries:
Superior border: Articulates with the mastoid angle of the parietal bone via the parietomastoid suture.
Anterior border: Merges with the tympanic part of the temporal bone via the tympanomastoid suture.
Posterior border: Articulates with the squamous part of the occipital bone via the occipitomastoid suture [1].

The rough outer surface of the mastoid process gives rise to several muscle attachments:
Occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle: Covers the skull from the superior nuchal line to the mastoid process.
Other muscles, such as the auricularis posterior, sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, posterior belly of the digastric, and longissimus capitis, also attach to the mastoid process [1].

The mastoid process contains air-filled spaces called mastoid air cells.
Infections of the mastoid process, known as mastoiditis, can occur and may require medical attention [1].