Temporal bone

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The temporal bone is situated on the sides and the base of the cranium and lateral to the temporal lobe of the cerebrum. The temporal bone is one of the most important calvarial and skull base bones.

Gross anatomy

The temporal bone is very complex and consists of five parts ^1,2:

Some anatomists describe only 4 parts of the temporal bone, with the mastoid and petrous parts combined as a petromastoid part ³.

There are four intrinsic fissures between these divisions ^4,5:

Articulations

There are many named extrinsic fissures between the temporal bone and other cranial bones ^4,5:

~~-<li><a href="/articles/petro-occipital-synchondrosis-1">petrooccipital (petroclival) synchondrosis</a></li>~~
+<li><a href="/articles/petro-occipital-fissure-1">petrooccipital (petroclival) fissure</a></li>

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Temporal bone

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