The mastoid part of the temporal bone is the posterior (back) part of the temporal bone, one of the bones of the skull. Its rough surface gives attachment to various muscles (via tendons) and it has openings for blood vessels.
The mastoid bone is the back part of the temporal bone of the skull located just behind the inner ear. Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone. The mastoid bone is made up of a honeycomb-like structure, which is full of mastoid air cells./TemporalBoneAnatomyPic-a086c44c6efd405db18a367a7b3d9b5e.jpg)
The mastoid process is a bony projection on the temporal bone—located behind your ears on each side of your skull. Due to its location, ear issues—such as a middle ear infection—can cause pain at the mastoid process. This bone also provides an attachment point for several muscles.
Mastoiditis usually occurs when untreated or inadequately treated acute otitis media spreads from the middle ear into the surrounding bone—the mastoid process (part of the temporal bone—the skull bone that contains part of the ear canal, the middle ear, and the inner ear).
The mastoid process is easily palpable just behind the ears. It serves as the insertion site of many muscles in the head and neck region. In addition, it contains air-filled spaces called the mastoid air cells. This article will discuss the gross and functional anatomy of the mastoid process.