Mastoid Bone (Noun)
Meaning
Process of the temporal bone behind the ear at the base of the skull.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The mastoid bone is a vital part of the temporal bone, which forms the outer ear canal and provides attachment for muscles involved in facial expression.
- Behind the ear, the mastoid bone serves as an attachment point for the sternocleidomastoid muscle, a muscle involved in turning the head and neck.
- Anatomists define the mastoid bone as a small air-filled chamber in the petrous portion of the temporal bone located just behind the ear canal.
- Dysfunction or disease of the mastoid bone can cause complications for hearing, as the small chamber in this part of the skull connects with the inner ear through a short passageway.
- Exposure to a low level of bone growth factor increases osteogenesis of mastoid bone in chronic suppurative otitis media with effusion in rat.