What is the processus Mastoideus?
n. A conical protuberance of the posterior portion of the temporal bone that is situated behind the ear in humans and many other vertebrates and serves as a site of muscle attachment. Also called mastoid bone.
What is mastoid process anatomy?
mastoid process, the smooth pyramidal or cone-shaped bone projection at the base of the skull on each side of the head just below and behind the ear in humans.
What part of the body is the mastoid?
The mastoid is located just behind the ear. Mastoiditis is an infection of the bony air cells in the mastoid bone, located just behind the ear.
What causes mastoiditis?
Mastoiditis can develop if the mastoid cells become infected or inflamed, often following a persistent middle ear infection (otitis media). Cholesteatoma can also cause mastoiditis. This is an abnormal collection of skin cells inside the ear which may prevent the ear draining properly, leading to infection.
Is the mastoid part of the neck?
The mastoid process is located in the posterior portion of the temporal bone. It is one of the two projections situated behind the ear. The mastoid process provides an attachment for certain muscles of the neck.
What is the purpose of the mastoid?
The mastoid bone, which is full of these air cells, is part of the temporal bone of the skull. The mastoid air cells are thought to protect the delicate structures of the ear, regulate ear pressure and possibly protect the temporal bone during trauma.
Can you feel the mastoid process?
The mastoid process is a bony lump you can feel behind the lower ear. Muscles that turn the neck attach to the mastoid process. The process is larger in men because of larger neck muscles. The mastoid is filled with air cells that connect to the inner ear.
Where is the mastoid process located in the skull?
The mastoid process is a pyramidal bony projection from the posterior section of the temporal bone. The superior border of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone articulates with the parietal bone. It might be a good idea to learn the full anatomy of the skull before zoning in on specific structures like the mastoid practice.
Is the styloid process medial to the mastoid process?
The styloid process lies anterior and medial to the mastoid process, and in between them is the stylomastoid foramen. This foramen allows the muscular branch of the facial nerve to leave the skull and go onto innervate the muscles of facial expression.
Where does the petrosquamous suture of the mastoid process run?
The petrosquamous suture runs vertically from the superior border of the mastoid process. The mastoid part has a rough outer surface that gives rise to the occipital belly of occipitofrontalis muscle, which covers the skull from the superior nuchal line to the mastoid process.
What kind of muscles are involved in the mastoid process?
The mastoid process itself (the pointed projection) gives rise to: the sternocleidomastoid muscle (rotates the head to the contralateral side) the splenius capitis muscle (extends rotates and laterally flexes the head) the posterior belly of the digastric muscle (opens the jaw when the masseter and temporalis muscles are relaxed)