Temporal bone
Last revised by Tariq Walizai
on 25 Sep 2024
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Mudgal P, Walizai T, Balasubramanian S, et al. Temporal bone. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 20 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-28310
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rID:
28310
Article created:
20 Mar 2014,
Prashant Mudgal
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Prashant Mudgal had no recorded disclosures.
View Prashant Mudgal's current disclosures
Last revised:
25 Sep 2024,
Tariq Walizai
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Tariq Walizai had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Tariq Walizai's current disclosures
Revisions:
41 times, by
19 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Os temporale
- Temporal bone anatomy
- T-bone anatomy
- T bone
The temporal bone is situated on the sides and the base of the cranium and lateral to the temporal lobe of the cerebrum. The temporal bone is one of the most important calvarial and skull base bones.
Gross anatomy
The temporal bone is divided into several main parts/portions 1-3:
squamous part (temporal squama)
petrous part (petrous pyramid)
mastoid part (usually considered a separate part but it is formed by both the squamous and petrous parts)
mandibular fossa (formed anteriorly by the squamous part and posteriorly by the tympanic part of temporal bone)
In addition, there are several bony projections:
styloid process (considered a separate part or a component of the petrous part)
zygomatic process (a component of the squamous part)
mastoid process (considered a component of the mastoid part or synonymous with it)
The temporal bone can also be divided into otologic zones:
the medial third of the external auditory canal (part of the external ear)
Articulations
There are four intrinsic fissures between the divisions of the temporal bone 4,5:
There are many named extrinsic fissures between the temporal bone and other cranial bones 4,5:
References
- 1. Ellen G. Hoeffner, Suresh Kumar Mukherji. Temporal Bone Imaging. (2008) ISBN: 9781588904010 - Google Books
- 2. Anatomy of the Human Body. (2000) ISBN: 1587341026 - Google Books
- 3. Tremble G. Pneumatization of the Temporal Bone. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1934;19(2):172-82. doi:10.1001/archotol.1934.03790020018002
- 4. Kwong Y, Yu D, Shah J. Fracture Mimics on Temporal Bone CT: A Guide for the Radiologist. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2012;199(2):428-34. doi:10.2214/AJR.11.8012 - Pubmed
- 5. Head and Neck Imaging: Upper Aerodigestive Tract and Neck. Sect. VI. Upper Aerodigestive Tract. 27. Anatomy and Imaging of the Oral Cavity and Pharynx. (2011) ISBN: 9780323053556 - Google Books
- 6. Juliano A, Ginat D, Moonis G. Imaging Review of the Temporal Bone: Part I. Anatomy and Inflammatory and Neoplastic Processes. Radiology. 2013;269(1):17-33. doi:10.1148/radiol.13120733 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Articles:
- Petro-occipital fissure
- Parietotemporal suture
- Zygomatic arch
- Acquired cholesteatoma
- Temporozygomatic suture
- Head ultrasound
- Intramembranous ossification
- Inferior petrosal sinus
- Mastoid foramen
- Tympanic part of temporal bone
- Parietal bone
- Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia
- Squamous part of temporal bone
- Nervus spinosus
- Inferior tympanic canaliculus
- Base of the skull
- Temporal fossa
- Mandibular fossa
- Tympanomastoid fissure
- Superior petrosal sinus
Cases:
- Extensive pneumatisation of the temporal bones
- Pneumatised petrous apex
- Apparent discontinuity of the roof of the mandibular fossa
- Temporal bone (Gray's illustrations)
- Cholesteatoma - external auditory canal
- Normal temporal bone CT with annotated images
- Middle ear anatomy (annotated CT)
- External ear anatomy (annotated CT)
- Temporal bone divisions: annotated CT
- Intratemporal facial nerve: annotated CT
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