Mastoid part of temporal bone
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The mastoid part of the temporal bone is its posterior component.
Gross anatomy
The mastoid part is normally pneumatised by the mastoid air cells and is perforated by the mastoid foramen. The roof of the mastoid antrum, which separates the mastoid from the cranial cavity, is called the tegmen mastoideum, and is a posterior extension of the tegmen tympani.
The mastoid part has an outer rough surface that provides attachment to occipitalis and auricularis posterior muscles. It continues inferiorly as the mastoid process, which is a conical bony projection that provides attachment for a number of muscles:
- sternocleidomastoid
- splenius capitis
- the posterior belly of the digastric muscle
- longissimus capitis muscles
On the medial aspect of the mastoid process is a deep groove, called the digastric fossa, where the digastric muscles attach. Medial to this is the occipital groove, which is traversed by the occipital artery. The sigmoid sulcus, which lodges part of the transverse sinus, lies in the inner surface of the mastoid portion.
Articulations
Mastoid part of temporal bone articulates with the following bones:
- the superior border articulates with the mastoid angle of the parietal bone
- the posterior border articulates with the inferior border of the occipital bone
- anteriorly it is fused with the descending process of the squamous temporal bone
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