What is the mastoid process of the skull?

What is the mastoid process of the skull?

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 is the mastoid process and why is it important?

Mastoid Process Function The mastoid process’ main function is to provide an area of attachment to several important muscles in the head. For instance, it is the attachment site of certain muscles of the neck: Sternocleidomastoid muscle – enables the rotation of the head to the contralateral side.

What is mastoid function?

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.

Why is it called the mastoid process?

Itis a complex bone, which along with many of its landmarks, features a bulgy prominence called the mastoid process. The mastoid process is easily palpable just behind the ears. It serves for the attachment of many head muscles. Moreover, it contains air-filled spaces called the mastoid air cells.

What does the mastoid process feel like?

Mastoid Process – Normal Lump Behind the Ear: 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.

What is inside the mastoid process?

Mastoid process It forms a bony prominence behind and below the ear. It is also filled with sinuses, or mastoid cells. The mastoid process serves for the attachment of the sternocleidomastoid, the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, splenius capitis, and longissimus capitis.

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.

What attaches to the mastoid process?

The mastoid process serves for the attachment of the sternocleidomastoid, the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, splenius capitis, and longissimus capitis.

Can you feel your mastoid process?

What muscles attach to the mastoid process?

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.

Where is the mastoid process located?

Your mastoid process is a part of your temporal bone that is located just behind your ears. The mastoid process is a small triangular-shaped bone that protrudes from either side at the base of your skull. You can locate your mastoid if you place your fingers behind your earlobe.

What does mastoid process mean?

mastoid process. [măs′toid′] A protruding bony area in the lower part of the skull that is located behind the ear in humans and many other vertebrates and serves as a site of muscle attachment. The mastoid process contains small air-filled cavities called mastoid cells that communicate with the middle ear.

What is the mastoid process of the temporal bone?

Mastoiditis. It is commonly caused by untreated otitis media, where the infection tracks from the middle ear into the mastoid section of the temporal bone. The mastoid process is underdeveloped at birth which leaves the posterior auricular branch of the facial nerve (which ascends anterior to the mastoid process) superficial and unprotected.