mastoid process

mastoid process
a large, bony prominence on the base of the skull behind the ear, containing air spaces that connect with the middle ear cavity. Also called mastoid, mastoid bone. See diag. under skull.
[1725-35]

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      the smooth pyramidal or cone-shaped bone projection at the base of the skull on each side of the head just below and behind the ear in humans. The mastoid process is important to students of fossil humans because it occurs regularly and in the specific form described only in hominids (i.e., members of the genera Homo and Australopithecus). The development of the mastoid process is apparently related to the upright posture of hominids and the consequent evolutionary realignment of the head in relation to the neck.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • mastoid process — n the process of the temporal bone behind the ear that is well developed and of somewhat conical form in adults but inconspicuous in children * * * a nipple shaped process on the temporal bone that extends downward and forward behind the ear… …   Medical dictionary

  • Mastoid process — Bone: Mastoid process Side view of head, showing surface relations of bones. (Mastoid process labeled near center.) …   Wikipedia

  • mastoid process — noun process of the temporal bone behind the ear at the base of the skull • Syn: ↑mastoid, ↑mastoid bone, ↑mastoidal • Derivationally related forms: ↑mastoid (for: ↑mastoid) • …   Useful english dictionary

  • mastoid process — a nipple shaped process on the temporal bone that extends downward and forward behind the ear canal and is the point of attachment of several neck muscles. It contains many air spaces (mastoid cells), which communicate with the cavity of the… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • mastoid process — noun The conical, nipple like projection of the petrous part of the temporal bone, that is situated behind the ear in humans and many other vertebrates, and serves as a site of muscle attachment. Syn: processus mastoideus, mastoid, mastoid bone,… …   Wiktionary

  • mastoid process — noun a conical prominence of the temporal bone behind the ear, to which neck muscles are attached, and which has air spaces linked to the middle ear …   English new terms dictionary

  • mastoid process — mas′toid proc ess n. anat. a large bony prominence on the base of the skull behind the ear containing air spaces that connect with the middle ear cavity. • Etymology: 1725–35 …   From formal English to slang

  • Mastoid cells — Coronal section of right temporal bone. (Mastoid cells labeled at bottom left.) Latin cellulae mastoideae Gray s …   Wikipedia

  • Mastoid notch — Left temporal bone. Inferior surface. (Mastoid notch visible at bottom center.) Latin incisura mastoidea ossis temporalis Gray s …   Wikipedia

  • Mastoid — Mas toid, a. [Gr. ?; masto s the breast + e i^dos form: cf. F. masto[ i]de.] (Anat.) (a) Resembling the nipple or the breast; applied specifically to a process of the temporal bone behind the ear. (b) Pertaining to, or in the region of, the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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