mastoid process

mastoid process

n.

A conical protuberance of the posterior portion of the temporal bone that is situated behind the ear in humans and many other vertebrates and serves as a site of muscle attachment. Also called mastoid bone.

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mastoid process  (mstoid)

A protruding bony area in the lower part of the skull that is located behind the ear in humans and many other vertebrates and serves as a site of muscle attachment. The mastoid process contains small air-filled cavities called mastoid cells that communicate with the middle ear.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

mastoid process - process of the temporal bone behind the ear at the base of the skull mastoid, mastoid bone, mastoidal mastoidale - the craniometric point at the lowest point of the mastoid process os temporale, temporal bone - a thick bone forming the side of the human cranium and encasing the inner ear appendage, outgrowth, process - a natural prolongation or projection from a part of an organism either animal or plant; "a bony process"