Pneumatization of the Temporal Bone

Abstract

The distribution and extent of the cellular system throughout the temporal bone vary greatly, both in infants and in adults. In discussing this problem, the bone as a whole must be considered and not merely the mastoid process. ANATOMY Anatomically, as is well known, the temporal bone of the fetus consists of three parts, namely, the squamous, the petrous and the tympanic portions. This division still holds at birth or until the squamous and tympanic parts become fused into one. The tympanic ring in the new\x=req-\ born is a flat semicircle which is open above. As there is no meatus at this stage of development, the drum membrane, which fits into a groove in the tympanic ring, lies quite unprotected.In the new-born the mastoid process does not exist. The stylomastoid foramen lies on the lateral surface of what is later to be the prominence of the mastoid. The styloid process is still cartilaginous, partially if not entirely. Shortly after birth the mastoid process begins to appear, and the stylomastoid foramen comes to lie on the inferior surface of the temporal bone as the prominence develops. "The mastoid antrum is practically always present at birth, even in cases in which the external meatus and auricle are underdeveloped." 1 As Cheatle and numerous others since have pointed out, this is not the only cell to be seen at this age. The lateral wall of the antrum is studded with minute cells which enlarge as the mastoid process grows. According to Ruttin,1 the otologist divides the temporal bone into four parts: the squamous, the petrous and the tympanic portions and the mastoid. The anterior part of the mastoid belongs to the squamous portion and the posterior part to the petrous bone. Between these two in childhood is a fissure through which pus easily breaks to the surface. The upper wall of the external meatus is formed by the squamous por¬ tion ; the posterior wall is made up of the mastoid, while the anterior and

Investigation of pneumatized articular eminence in orthodontic malocclusions

“…Pneumatization refers to the development of air‐filled cavities in bone. In addition to the major paranasal sinuses, accessory air cells may arise in numerous locations in the skull, including the temporal bone, either single or in cluster (1–3). The term ‘pneumatized articular tubercule (PAT) or eminence’ was suggested by Tyndall and Matteson (4) to describe accessory air cells which occur in the root of the zygomatic arch and in the articular eminence of the temporal bone and which are similar to air cells in the mastoid process and ethmoid bone.…”

Prevalence of the pneumatized articular eminence in the temporal bone

“…These areas of pneumatization may rise in numerous locations in the skull including the temporal bone (Orhan et al, 2005). Tremble (1934) reported that the distribution of air cells in the temporal bone. Ten locations within the temporal bone were identified where accessory air cells could be found, including one area in the zygomatic process of the temporal bone.…”

Prevalence of mastoid infection in prehistoric Arizona Indians

“…The mastoids were classified according to the criteria of Tremble (1934) as being pneumatic, diploic, mixed or sclerotic. He defined a pneumatic mastoid as being one in which the bone was hollowed-out by large cells that interconnected with each other; a diploic was formed of dense, compact bone and consisted of small cells lined with periosteum and filled with bone marrow containing fat cells; the mixed type was made up of pneumatic and diploic cells combined in a varying degree; and the sclerotic mastoid consisted of hard, ivory-like bone throughout, with few cells, if any, being present.…”