Tympanic part of the temporal bone

Tympanic part of the temporal bone (shown in red)

The Tympanic part of the temporal bone is a curved plate of bone lying below the squamous part of the temporal bone and in front of the mastoid process. It is a significant component of the temporal bone, which is one of the bones that make up the skull in vertebrates.

Anatomy

The tympanic part of the temporal bone is located in the skull and forms the anterior and inferior walls and a part of the posterior wall of the external acoustic meatus, which is the tube through which sound travels to reach the eardrum. It also contributes to the floor and part of the anterior wall of the tympanic cavity, which houses the middle ear.

Structure

The tympanic part of the temporal bone is curved and roughly quadrilateral in shape. It has two surfaces and four borders. The lateral surface is concave and forms the anterior wall, the floor, and part of the posterior wall of the external acoustic meatus. The medial surface forms the floor and part of the anterior wall of the tympanic cavity.

Development

The tympanic part of the temporal bone is derived from the first pharyngeal arch during embryonic development. It starts as a ring of bone that gradually expands to form the tympanic part of the temporal bone.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the tympanic part of the temporal bone can result in hearing loss or other auditory issues. It can also be affected by various diseases, including otitis media, cholesteatoma, and temporal bone cancer.

See Also

• Temporal bone
• Middle ear
• Eardrum