Mastoid
Mastoid
The mastoid is a part of the temporal bone located in the human skull. It is located behind the ear and is easily palpable in humans. The mastoid is filled with air cells that are connected to the middle ear, which is why it is also known as the mastoid process.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The mastoid is part of the temporal bone, which is one of the two bones that form the sides and base of the skull. The mastoid process is a conical prominence projecting from the undersurface of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. It is located just behind the external ear. The size and form of the mastoid process varies somewhat; it is larger in men than in women and its size is also influenced by the amount of its pneumatization.
Function[edit | edit source]
The mastoid process serves for the attachment of certain muscles (sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, and longissimus capitis) and maintains the open connection between the middle ear and the environment, which is known as mastoid air cells. These air cells are connected to the middle ear via the mastoid antrum. This connection allows the pressure in the middle ear to equalize with the atmospheric pressure.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Infections in the middle ear can spread to the mastoid air cells, a condition known as mastoiditis. This can lead to the destruction of the bony air cells, resulting in a serious infection that can spread to the brain if not treated promptly. Symptoms of mastoiditis include pain, swelling, and redness over the area of the mastoid process. The treatment for mastoiditis typically involves antibiotics and sometimes surgery.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
| Mastoid Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
