mastoid process

American  

noun

1. a large, bony prominence on the base of the skull behind the ear, containing air spaces that connect with the middle ear cavity.

---

mastoid process Scientific  

/ măs′toid′ /

1. 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.

---

Etymology

Origin of mastoid process

First recorded in 1725–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mastoid process

During early childhood, the mastoid process enlarges, the two halves of the mandible and frontal bone fuse together to form single bones, and the paranasal sinuses enlarge.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Projecting inferiorly from this region is a large prominence, the mastoid process, which serves as a muscle attachment site.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

A vibrating tuning fork is placed on the mastoid process and the patient indicates when the sound produced from this is no longer present.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Stylomastoid foramen—This small opening is located between the styloid process and mastoid process.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

In the horse it is attached to the angle of the lower jaw by a tendon, which an aponeurosis that passes under the parotid gland binds to the mastoido-humeral muscle and the mastoid process.

From Artistic Anatomy of Animals by Cuyer, ?douard