supratemporal

Supratemporal is an anatomical adjective used to indicate a location above the temporal region of the skull. It is a positional term applied in comparative anatomy and paleontology to describe bones, crests, fossae, or other features that lie over or dorsal to the temporal area. The word derives from Latin supra- “above” and tempus “time,” with tempus referring to the temple region of the skull rather than the concept of time.

In skull morphology, supratemporal elements may be part of the dorsal skull roof or related features that sit posterior or superior to the orbit and temporal region. In many extinct reptiles and early synapsids, a supratemporal component can be described as a distinct bone or a pronounced shelf. In mammals, the temporal region is primarily formed by the temporal bone, and “supratemporal” is more often used descriptively for features located in that area rather than to denote a separate bone.

In paleontology and comparative anatomy, the term is commonly used to discuss skull evolution and functional anatomy. The supratemporal region can relate to attachments for jaw muscles and to patterns of skull roof development that differ among groups, providing a framework for comparing amniote skull designs and evolutionary changes.

Because usage varies by taxon and context, supratemporal is mainly a positional descriptor. When encountered in literature, it is advisable to check whether the text refers to a discrete bone or to a general region and to consider accompanying terms such as bone, fossa, crest, or arch to clarify the reference.