Temporal bone facts for kids
The temporal bones are at the sides and base of the skull. They protect the structures of the inner ear.
The lower seven cranial nerves move along the inside of the temporal bones. The main blood vessels to and from the brain also move along the inside of the temporal bone.
The temporal bones are not the same in all mammals. The inner ear is usually not protected in marsupials, and in other placentals it is protected by a structure called the auditory bulla.
Images for kids
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1. Outer surface of petromastoid part. 2. Outer surface of tympanic ring. 3. Inner surface of squama.
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Figure 7 : Temporal bone at birth. Outer aspect.
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Figure 8 : Temporal bone at birth. Inner aspect.
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Position of temporal bone (green). Animation.
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Shape of temporal bone (left).
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Sphenoid and temporal bones
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Occipitomastoid suture. It separates occipital bone and mastoid portion of temporal bone.
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Squamosal suture. It separates parietal bone and squama portion of temporal bone.
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Sphenosquamosal suture. It separates sphenoid bone and squama portion of temporal bone.
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Zygomaticotemporal suture. It separates zygomatic bone and zygomatic process of temporal bone.
See also
In Spanish: Hueso temporal para niños
