It can be split into a mastoid and petrous parts. This portion of the temporal bone is located posteriorly. It acts as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments, such as the stylomandibular ligament of the TMJ. The styloid process located immediately underneath the opening to the auditory meatus. It surrounds the external auditory opening, which leads into the external auditory meatus of the external ear. The tympanic part of the temporal bone lies inferiorly to the squamous, and anteriorly to the petromastoid part.
![external auditory meatus bone external auditory meatus bone](https://i0.wp.com/entokey.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/9781684201112_c001_f015.tif_epub1.jpg)
The masseter muscles attaches some fibres to the lateral surface of the zygomatic process. One of the zygomatic processes’ attachments to the temporal bone forms the articular tubercle – the anterior boundary of the mandibular fossa, part of the temporomandibular joint These two structures form the zygomatic arch (palpable as ‘cheek bones’). It projects anteriorly, articulating with the temporal process of the zygomatic bone. The zygomatic process arises from the lower part of the squama temporalis. The bone articulates with the sphenoid bone anteriorly, and parietal bone laterally. The lower part of the squamous bone is the site of origin of the temporalis muscle The outer facing surface of the squamous bone is convex in shape, forming part of the temporal fossa. It is flat and plate-like, located superiorly. SquamousĪlso known as the squama temporalis, this is the largest part of the temporal bone. We shall now examine the constituent parts of the temporal bone in more detail.
![external auditory meatus bone external auditory meatus bone](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6168/6211235043_42e4bbf158_m.jpg)
Fig 1.1 – The constituent parts of the temporal bone.