Anatomy (Topographic) · MU Sofia

231. Temporal and mastoid regions.

Covers the temporal fossa, with its borders and contents of temporalis muscle, vessels and nerves, then the mastoid process and its suture-based boundaries, muscle attachments and mastoiditis. Ends with the auricular region: the auricula's elevations, concavities and layered skin, the external acoustic meatus and tympanic membrane, and clinical problems such as trauma, infection, hearing disorders and skin cancer.

Inside: 4 sections · 3 labelled pictures · 14 flashcards · 4 min

Topic 2 of 40 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Anatomy (Topographic) (Medicine, Year 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 4 sections, about 587 words (4 min of reading), with 14 flashcards.

In this note

  1. TEMPORAL , MASTOID, AURICULAR
  2. Temporal Fossa:
  3. Mastoid Region ( Mastoid Process)
  4. Auricular Region :

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.

Mastoid Region ( Mastoid Process)

1. Location and Borders:

  • 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].

2. Muscle Attachments:

  • 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].

3. Clinical Notes:

  • 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].

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