Tinningbenet

Tinningbenet, known in English as the temporal bone, is a bone of the skull that forms part of the side and base of the cranium. It houses the structures of the middle and inner ear and provides attachment for muscles and ligaments associated with the jaw and head.

The temporal bone consists of four main parts: the squamous, tympanic, mastoid, and petrous portions. The squamous part is the flat vertical plate that includes the zygomatic process and the mandibular fossa, contributing to the temporomandibular joint with the lower jaw. The tympanic part surrounds the external auditory canal and contains features related to the middle ear. The mastoid part contains the mastoid process and an extensive system of air-filled cells. The petrous portion is a dense, pyramid-shaped structure that houses the inner ear’s bony labyrinth and the middle ear cavity, and it contains important openings such as the internal acoustic meatus and the carotid canal.

The temporal bone forms joints with neighboring bones, including the parietal, sphenoid, and occipital bones, and participates in the base of the skull. It also interfaces with the mandible at the temporomandibular joint, with the zygomatic bone via the zygomatic process, and with surrounding tissues through several foramina and canals. The bone's features allow the passage of nerves and vessels, including pathways for the facial nerve, vestibulocochlear nerve, and the Internal Carotid Artery.

Clinically, the temporal bone is involved in conditions such as temporal bone fractures, otitis media with mastoiditis, and auditory or balance disorders resulting from ear structure involvement. The bone’s complex anatomy makes it a key focus in otology and neurosurgery.