Temporal bone facts for kids
The temporal bones are important bones found on the sides and at the bottom of your skull. Think of them as strong shields that help protect some very delicate parts inside your head. Their main job is to keep the structures of your inner ear safe. These tiny parts of your ear help you hear and keep your balance.
Inside the temporal bones, there are also pathways for important cranial nerves. These nerves send messages to and from your brain, helping with things like hearing, balance, and even some facial movements. Big blood vessels that carry blood to and from your brain also travel through these bones.
Temporal Bones in Animals
The temporal bones can look a bit different in various mammals. For example, in animals like marsupials (like kangaroos), the inner ear usually doesn't have as much protection from the temporal bone. But in most other mammals, like humans and many common animals, the inner ear is well-protected by a special bony structure called the auditory bulla. This structure helps keep the inner ear safe and sound.
More Pictures
-
1. Outer surface of petromastoid part. 2. Outer surface of tympanic ring. 3. Inner surface of squama.
-
Figure 7 : Temporal bone at birth. Outer aspect.
-
Figure 8 : Temporal bone at birth. Inner aspect.
-
Position of temporal bone (green). Animation.
-
Shape of temporal bone (left).
-
Sphenoid and temporal bones
-
Occipitomastoid suture. It separates occipital bone and mastoid portion of temporal bone.
-
Squamosal suture. It separates parietal bone and squama portion of temporal bone.
-
Sphenosquamosal suture. It separates sphenoid bone and squama portion of temporal bone.
-
Zygomaticotemporal suture. It separates zygomatic bone and zygomatic process of temporal bone.
See also
In Spanish: Hueso temporal para niños
