THE FOUR PARTS OF

THE TEMPORAL BONE

By Gul Moonis
Introduction
 Dr. Gul Moonis, MD, is a medical professional at
the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in
Boston, Massachusetts. The author of many
papers and presentations on imaging, Dr. Gul
Moonis focuses on radiology and has presented
many talks on the subject of temporal bone
imaging.
Located beneath the temple, the temporal bone is
made up of four parts, which include the petrous
and mastoid portions, the tympanic part, and the
squama temporalis. Together, these four parts
enclose the system of the inner ear.
Temporal Bone
 The petrous and mastoid portions of the temporal
bone are both heavier bones, with the petrous
portion being the hardest of the temporal bone.
The petrous portion is designed to prevent
damage to the inner ear, while the primary
function of the mastoid portion is to allow nerves,
arteries, and veins a pathway through the skull.
The extremely thin squama temporalis is scaly to
look at, and provides a place for temporalis
muscles to attach, while the tympanic part is
separated from the rest of temporal bones at birth,
fusing together with the remaining three parts as a
human ages.