extratemporal

Extratemporal refers to anything located or occurring outside of the temporal bone. The temporal bone is a paired bone on either side of the skull, forming parts of the base and sides of the cranial vault. It houses important structures of the ear, including the cochlea, semicircular canals, and the ossicles, as well as the temporomandibular joint.

Therefore, extratemporal pathologies or anatomical features are those found elsewhere in the body or in regions of the skull not directly associated with the temporal bone. For example, a tumor in the frontal lobe of the brain would be considered extratemporal with respect to the temporal bone. Similarly, an injury to the mandible, even though it articulates with the temporal bone at the temporomandibular joint, might be described as extratemporal if the focus is on the mandible itself and not the joint capsule or temporal bone involvement.

In a medical context, this distinction is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning. Surgeons, radiologists, and other medical professionals use the term to precisely describe the location of a condition, differentiating it from issues directly affecting the temporal bone, such as temporal bone fractures, cholesteatomas, or certain types of hearing loss originating within the bone itself. The term helps to delineate anatomical boundaries and focus investigations on the relevant areas.