- Mastoid cells
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Mastoid cells 
Coronal section of right temporal bone. (Mastoid cells labeled at bottom left.) Latin cellulae mastoideae Gray's subject #34 142 Artery stylomastoid artery A section of the mastoid process of the temporal bone of the cranium shows it to be hollowed out into a number of spaces, the mastoid cells, which exhibit the greatest possible variety as to their size and number.
At the upper and front part of the process they are large and irregular and contain air (a form of skeletal pneumaticity), but toward the lower part they diminish in size, while those at the apex of the process are frequently quite small and contain marrow; occasionally they are entirely absent, and the mastoid is then solid throughout.
Clinical significance
Infections in the middle ear can easily spread into the mastoid area via the aditus ad antrum and mastoid antrum.
Additional images
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Horizontal section through left ear; upper half of section.
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Mastoid cells.
External links
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.
Sensory system: Auditory and Vestibular systems (TA A15.3, TH 3.11.09, GA 10.1029) Outer ear Middle ear Labyrinthine wall/medial: Oval window · Round window • Secondary tympanic membrane • Prominence of facial canal • Promontory of tympanic cavity
Mastoid wall/posterior: Mastoid cells • Aditus to mastoid antrum • Pyramidal eminence
Carotid wall/anterior
Tegmental wall/roof: Epitympanic recess
Jugular wall/floorMalleus (Neck of malleus, Superior ligament of malleus, Lateral ligament of malleus, Anterior ligament of malleus) · Incus (Superior ligament of incus, Posterior ligament of incus) · Stapes (Anular ligament of stapes)Stapedius · Tensor tympaniInner ear/
(membranous labyrinth,
bony labyrinth)General cochleaPerilymphatic spaceReissner's/vestibular membrane • Basilar membrane
Endolymph • Stria vascularis • Spiral ligament
Organ of Corti: Stereocilia • Tectorial membrane • Sulcus spiralis (externus, internus) • Spiral limbusCellsStatic/translations/vestibule/endolymphatic duct: Utricle (Macula) · Saccule (Macula, Endolymphatic sac) · Kinocilium · Otolith • Vestibular aqueduct • Canalis reuniens
Kinetic/rotations: Semicircular canals (Superior, Posterior, Horizontal) • Ampullary cupula • Ampullae (Crista ampullaris)M: EAR
anat(e/p)/phys/devp
noco/cong, epon
proc, drug(S2)
Categories:- Musculoskeletal system stubs
- Bones of the head and neck
- Ear
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