The temporal bone is a hard bone that helps to form the base of the skull and has many cavities, channels, and canals. It also contains the middle and inner portions of the ear, which is why we are talking about it!

(Musiek and Baran, page 5.)

• Largest part of temporal bone

• Flat, fan-like

• Large thin plate of bone

• Superior portion

• Protects temporal lobe

• Inferior, lateral position

• Anterior and inferior

• Forms floor and wall of ear canal

• Small, thin, curved

• Surrounds external auditory opening

• Spike looking

• Inferior to ear canal

• Attachment for important muscles for speech

• Posterior to ear canal

• Bone you feel behind your pinna

• Works with occipital and parietal bone

• Includes mastoid air cell which regulates air pressure and protects middle ear

• Honey-comb bone with small air-filled cavities lined with mucus membrane

• Infection of this is called mastoiditis

• Rocky like mountain range

• Contains middle and inner ear

• Pyramid shape

• At base of temporal bone

• Dense, tightly packed bone

• Creates floor of cranial cavity

• Forms internal auditory meatus

• CNVIII

• Otic Capsule surrounds the labyrinth