Mastoid process

Of the Mastoid process is part of the temporal bone and is therefore one of the bony structures of the skull base. The structure is also known as the mastoid process and provides a starting point for many muscles. Due to air-filled connections to the middle ear, the region is often involved in otitis media, a phenomenon known as mastoiditis.

What is the mastoid process?

Pneumatization is understood to be a structural property of the bone. Pneumatized bones are equipped with air-filled cavities. In medicine, the term plays a role primarily for the architecture of the skull bones. A pneumatized part of the bone is the mastoid process of the temporal bone.

The temporal bone is the temporal bone, which is included in the skull bones and is involved in the temporomandibular joint as well as the inner and middle ear. The mastoid process is a kind of protruding bone of the pneumatized temporal bone. As a rule, men have a stronger mastoid process than women. From an anatomical point of view, the mastoid process lies in the posterior part of the temporal bone. This means that the bony or mastoid process lies directly behind the ear and is present on both sides of the body.

Anatomy & structure

The mastoid process consists of air-containing cells that are directly connected to the middle ear. The surface structure of the mastoid process is rather rough. The site of the temporal bone is connected to different muscles, especially the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the splenius capitis muscle, the longissimus capitis muscle and the digastricus muscle, which are attached to the mastoid process.

The mastoid of the anatomical structure is largely pneumatized. The pneumatization spaces consist of mastoid cells or Cellulae mastoideae, the characteristics of which are subject to individual differences. In the cranial part of the mastoid process, the individual pneumatization spaces are much larger than in the caudal part of the structure. The caudal spaces are connected by the mastoid antrum with the aditus ad antrum, i.e. the tympanic cavity. Like many other areas of the skull with pneumatization, those of the mastoid process are partly covered by mucous membrane tissue.

Function & tasks

The mastoid process performs just as little active tasks as the larger structure of the temporal bone. As part of the skull bone, the mastoid process is an indispensable element of the skull base and stabilizes the skull structures. Important structures of the head are housed in the temporal bone. The sensory organs and nerves of the head are given stability by the temporal bone.

The individual parts of the temporal bone form bony protection for the sensitive structures. Holes and openings exist for the cranial nerves that enter through the temporal bone and into the skull. Grooves in the temporal bone serve as guide rails for the nerves and vessels supplying the brain. The structure of the mastoid process of the temporal bone plays a major role, especially for the hearing organ. The anatomy of the mastoid process is directly coordinated with auditory perception and is thus involved in auditory sensory impressions in a passive form. In addition, the mastoid process of the temporal bone is an important starting point for muscles such as the long neck muscles.

The region around the mastoid process is also referred to as the occipital region in various literature. The occipital artery and vein as well as the major occipital nerve come to the surface in the course of the mastoid process, so that the pulse can be felt in this region. Although the mastoid process does not fulfill any active functions, it plays an essential role in the most varied of anatomical structures of the skull area, offers them a starting point or takes on a mediating function.

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Diseases

A disease with accompanying pain symptoms in the region of the mastoid process is migraine. This is a neurological disease that is characterized by periodically recurring, seizure-like, pulsating and often unilateral headache. Accompanying symptoms can include symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and noise.

Optical and sensitive perception disorders can also be present in the context of a migraine. Motor disorders are also conceivable. Patients with migraines often localize the recurring pain in the occipital region of the mastoid process. In addition to hormonal factors, stress, food factors, sleep and environmental pollution play an essential role in causing migraine diseases. In addition to migraines, so-called mastoiditis can give the mastoid process clinical relevance. This disease is an inflammatory process that can be traced back to an infection.

As a rule, mastoiditis develops as a complication of acute otitis media, i.e. an acute otitis media. Mastoiditis therefore usually corresponds to a bacterial infection with pathogens such as pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae type B or streptococci and staphylococci. Viral infections with rhinoviruses, coxsackieviruses, influenza viruses or adenoviruses are also possible primary causes for the inflammatory process. After a weakening of the immune system, the organism is particularly susceptible to bacterial pathogens. Bacteria invade the nasopharynx and reach the middle ear, where they cause otitis media.

If this otitis media is treated incorrectly, inadequately or not at all, the bacteria migrate to neighboring structures such as the mastoid process, which is connected to the middle ear via air-containing cells. The bacterial or viral colonization of the process is usually associated with symptoms such as ear pain and sensitivity to pressure. Most of these early symptoms are later associated with fever, sleep disorders or inner restlessness. Pain and swelling in the area of ​​the mastoid process can be symptomatic as well as discharge from the ear or general signs of infection such as loss of appetite.