The Temporal bone consists of a plate of bone, having on its lower border three processes. The inner part of the temporal bone supports the bony part of the ear, the aperture of which is seen just behind the root of the zygomatic process at the lower border of the squamous part (flat plate). The zygomatic process is a bar of bone projecting horizontally forwards. Just in front of the root is the surface for articulation with the mandible and internal to the root; the styloid process, a slender process of bone, projects vertically downwards. The mastoid process is a stout conical-shaped process behind the opening of the ear, its apex pointing forwards and downwards.

Fig. 42. - The Right Temporal Bone.

The temporal bone articulates by means of the upper border of the squamous part with the sphenoid (great wing), parietal, and occipital bones, and by the zygomatic process with the malar bone.