Temporal Bone
Your skull seems like one solid bone, right? Go ahead and feel around up there. Yep, seems like one big bone all right, but it's actually made up of all sorts of different bones! This lesson will focus on the processes of the temporal bones, which are two bones on either side of the head (see the orange section in the following image). Processes are the pieces of bone that protrude from, or come off of the temporal bone. What do you say? Let's get started!
The temporal bone is shown in orange
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Zygomatic Process
Let's start our temporal bone tour with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which is a piece of bone that meets up with the zygomatic bone. If you feel your face, the zygomatic process helps to make up those lovely cheekbones you have!
The arrow is pointing to the zygomatic process
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The zygomatic bone, in case you're wondering, is shown in the following image.
The blue arrow is pointing to the zygomatic bone and the red arrow is pointing to the zygomatic process
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The name 'zygomatic' means 'yoke' and actually gets its name because it looks like a yoke set on oxen. I guess I can kind of see the resemblance? Maybe? The zygomatic process is a place for muscle attachment, mainly muscles involved in chewing. In addition, this process of the temporal bone helps strengthen the entire cheekbone area.
The name zygomatic comes from the Greek word meaning yoke, as in a yoke for oxen
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Mastoid Process
Next on the tour is the mastoid process of the temporal bone, which is a bony projection behind the ear. Go ahead, touch behind your ear and you can feel it!
The mastoid process
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This process is important for the attachment of neck muscles and is filled with hollow, air-filled areas called mastoid cells that are involved in hearing. Here's another fun fact, the word 'mastoid' means 'breast' in Greek. It gets that name because it is kind of shaped like a breast. First a yoke and now a breast? Whoever named these bony projections sure had an imagination!
Styloid
Onto the final process for this lesson, or the styloid process of the temporal bone, which is a very thin, spiky projection coming off of the temporal bone below the ears. This process anchors muscles associated with the tongue and larynx, or voice box.
The styloid process is outlined in blue
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Styloid is a variation of the Greek word for pillar. I guess I can see that!
Lesson Summary
The tour is over and now you know all about some of the processes, or bony projections, coming off of the temporal bone, which is the part of the skull on the side of the head. The tour began with the zygomatic process, which is a long bone attached to the zygomatic bone, helping form the cheeks. Next we saw the mastoid process, which is dome-like projection that can be felt behind the ear. Lastly we explored the styloid process, which is shaped like a pillar and is also located behind the ear. Who knew there was so much to know about the skull!
