What does the medical term mastoid mean?
Definition of mastoid (Entry 1 of 2) 1 : being the process of the temporal bone behind the ear also : being any of several bony elements that occupy a similar position in the skull of lower vertebrates. 2 : of, relating to, or occurring in the region of the mastoid process. mastoid.
What is mastoid area?
The mastoid part of the temporal bone is the posterior (back) part of the temporal bone, one of the bones of the skull. Its rough surface gives attachment to various muscles (via tendons) and it has openings for blood vessels. From its borders, the mastoid part articulates with two other bones.
What is the medical term for mastoid process?
Medical Definition of mastoid process : the process of the temporal bone behind the ear that is well developed and of somewhat conical form in adults but inconspicuous in children.
Where does mastoiditis hurt?
Mastoiditis is a serious infection of the mastoid, the hard, prominent bone just behind and under the ear. The condition is rare and can be life threatening without treatment. Symptoms of mastoiditis include swelling behind the ear, pus from the ear, throbbing pain, and difficulty hearing.
What is the area behind the ear called?
The mastoid is located just behind the ear.
What is mastoid effusion?
Otitis media with effusion or a middle ear effusion (MEE) most often represents the accumulation of transudate in response to negative pressure and/or inflammation within the middle ear space. Mastoid effusions (ME) occur in conjunction with MEE, because the 2 spaces are continuous with one another.
Can mastoiditis heal on its own?
Can mastoiditis go away on its own? In some cases, mastoiditis can erode the bone and drain away through the eardrum. Usually, however, it requires medical care. Call a doctor immediately about mastoiditis symptoms or symptoms of an ear infection that do not improve with treatment.
What is the mastoid process?
The mastoid process is a pyramidal bony projection from the posterior section of the temporal bone. The superior border of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone articulates with the parietal bone. It might be a good idea to learn the full anatomy of the skull before zoning in on specific structures like the mastoid practice.
What is a mastoid protuberance?
A conical protuberance of the posterior portion of the temporal bone that is situated behind the ear in humans and many other vertebrates and serves as a site of muscle attachment. Also called mastoid bone. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
What does the posterior border of the mastoid process articulate with?
The posterior border articulates with the occipital bone, and the anterior border is merged with the descending portion of the squamous section of the temporal bone. The petrosquamous suture runs vertically from the superior border of the mastoid process.
What causes mild mastoiditis?
Mastoiditis. It is commonly caused by untreated otitis media, where the infection tracks from the middle ear into the mastoid section of the temporal bone. The mastoid process is underdeveloped at birth which leaves the posterior auricular branch of the facial nerve (which ascends anterior to the mastoid process) superficial and unprotected.