temporal bone

American  

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

1. either of a pair of thick compound bones forming the part of the skull that encases the inner ear.

---

temporal bone British  

noun

1. either of two compound bones forming part of the sides and base of the skull: they surround the organs of hearing

---

Etymology

Origin of temporal bone

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

To investigate further, scientists extracted ancient DNA from the petrous portion of the temporal bone in both skeletons, an area known for preserving genetic material.

From Science Daily • Feb. 17, 2026

It was at the point after the nerve passes through the inner ear and enters the temporal bone, on its way to the muscles of the face.

From New York Times • Sep. 29, 2022

The temporomandibular joint is the articulation between the condyle of the mandible and the mandibular fossa and articular tubercle of the skull temporal bone.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The greater wing is best seen on the outside of the lateral skull, where it forms a rectangular area immediately anterior to the squamous portion of the temporal bone.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

That was when he saw it: protrusions deep within the temporal bone, where the ear canal would have been.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee