temporal bone

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July 14, 2026

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human skull and neck Bony framework of the human head and neck.

The temporal bone is a compound bone located on the side of the skull in mammals, including humans. It plays a crucial role in the structure of the human ear.12

Within the temporal bone lies the middle ear, an air-filled cavity that houses the auditory ossicles: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These tiny bones transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The inner ear itself, a complex system of fluid-filled passages, is also embedded within the petrous portion of the temporal bone and contains the organs for hearing and balance. The mastoid process, a part of the temporal bone, is located behind the external auditory canal.23

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skull
The parietal and temporal bones form the sides and uppermost portion of the dome of the cranium, and the frontal bone forms the forehead; the cranial floor consists of the sphenoid and ethmoid bones. The facial area includes the zygomatic, or malar, bones (cheekbones), which join with the…
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The parietal and temporal bones form the sides and uppermost portion of the dome of the cranium, and the frontal bone forms the forehead; the cranial floor consists of the sphenoid and ethmoid bones. The facial area includes the zygomatic, or malar, bones (cheekbones), which join with the…
Read More