Skull · Irregular bone
Temporal Bone
The temporal bones sit at the sides and base of the skull, around the ears. They protect the brain's temporal lobes and house the delicate structures of hearing and balance.
What it is
The temporal bone is a complex bone at the side of the skull. It surrounds the ear canal and encloses the middle and inner ear.
Where it is
The side and base of the skull, around and behind the ear on each side.
What it does
Protects the temporal lobe of the brain, houses the organs of hearing and balance (in the inner ear), and forms part of the jaw joint.
Connections
Joints and connections
- Sutures with neighbouring skull bones
- Temporomandibular joint (with the mandible)
When things go wrong
Common injuries and conditions
- Temporal bone fracture (from head injury; can affect hearing or facial nerve)
- Mastoiditis (infection of the bony area behind the ear)
Education and reference only. This explains the anatomy in plain terms; it is not a diagnosis. A severe injury, a visibly deformed limb, or the inability to move or bear weight needs urgent assessment — call 999 or go to A&E for a serious injury.
Did you know?
An interesting fact
The temporal bone contains the smallest bones in the body — the tiny ear ossicles that transmit sound.
Answers
Temporal Bone: frequently asked questions
What does the temporal bone do?
The temporal bone protects the side of the brain and houses the inner-ear structures for hearing and balance. It also forms part of the jaw joint.
Explore the skull
Related bones
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Anatomy and body systems
- Gray's Anatomy for Students (Drake, Vogl, Mitchell)
- TeachMeAnatomy — skeletal system
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