Temporal bone

Eva Rudolf-Müller is a freelance writer in the medical team. She studied human medicine and newspaper sciences and has repeatedly worked in both areas - as a doctor in the clinic, as a reviewer, and as a medical journalist for various specialist journals. She is currently working in online journalism, where a wide range of medicine is offered to everyone.

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The temporal bone or the temporal bone pyramid (Pars petrosa) is a part of the temporal bone (Os temporale). It contains the inner ear with the organ of equilibrium and the cochlea. There are also numerous openings for the passage of nerves into the brain as well as furrows in which nerves and vessels run (such as the facial nerve = nervus facialis). Read everything you need to know about the temporal bone: structure, position, function and important health problems!

What is the petrous bone?

The temporal bone, pars petrosa, is one of three bones that make up the temporal bone. The other two bones are the pars tympanica and the pars squamosa. The temporal bone protrudes for the most part into the interior of the bony skull (exception: mastoid process).

The pars petrosa owes its name to the fact that the bone is as hard as a rock in places - it is the hardest bone in the human skull. It is divided into several sections: a front (facies anterior), a rear side (facies posterior) and a lower side (facies inferior) as well as a tip (apex) and the mastoid process. The latter can be clearly felt behind the ear as an elevation. It contains numerous small air chambers lined with periosteum, which have a direct connection to the tympanic cavity.

What is the function of the temporal bone?

The temporal bone has a protective function for the inner ear housed in it with the organ of equilibrium and the cochlea. It also forms the roof of the tympanic cavity - the cavity in the middle ear where the ossicles are located.

Where is the temporal bone located?

The petrous bone is a three-sided pyramid between the sphenoid bone (sphenoid bone) and the occiput (occipital bone). Towards its tip. The roof of the tympanic cavity is located on the front surface of the petrous bone.

What problems can the temporal bone cause?

A skull base fracture in the area of ​​the temporal bone (otobasal fracture) can be recognized by bleeding from the mastoid process, the auricle and sometimes the back of the pharynx.

A longitudinal fracture of the temporal bone causes a tear at the edge of the eardrum. In the event of a transverse fracture of the petrous bone, the eardrum remains uninjured, but blood flows into the throat. In addition, there is a deviation from the view to the side with the fracture, paralysis of the facial nerve and a failure of the inner ear (with inner ear numbness, vertigo and nystagmus).If the tip of the pyramid is injured, the cranial nerves V and VI are often also damaged.

Complications of a temporal bone fracture can include meningitis and a brain abscess (encapsulated inflammation and accumulation of pus in the brain).

Due to the close proximity of the mastoid process and the middle ear, otitis media often lead to an inflammation of this bone (mastoiditis).

A rare but dangerous complication of otitis media, suppuration of the petrous pyramid can develop.

In the case of chronic purulent otitis media, epithelial tissue can grow from the external auditory canal into the middle ear and the bone in the area of ​​the tympanic cavity and temporal bone can be destroyed. Doctors speak of a cholesteatoma here.

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