Squamous part
The squamous part of the temporal bone (or squamous temporalis/squamous temporal bone) is a very thin bone and forms the anterosuperior aspect of the temporal bone.
Gross anatomy
The squamous temporal bone's outer convex surface provides attachment to the temporalis muscle and forms a boundary of the temporal fossa. A curved line, the supramastoid crest (or temporal line), runs posterosuperiorly across its posterior part and provides attachment to the temporalis fascia.
The anterior aspect of the squamous temporal bone extends antero-inferiorly as well as laterally to form the zygomatic process. The superior surface of the zygomatic process provides attachment to the temporalis fascia, whereas its inferior surface is rough and thick surface for the attachment of the masseter muscle.
The posterior root runs above the external auditory meatus and continues with the supramastoid crest. The anterior root is directed medially and ends in the rounded, cartilage-covered, articular eminence, which forms the anterior boundary of the mandibular fossa.
Articulations
The squamous temporal bone articulates with various bones include:
- superior border articulates with the parietal bone by temporoparietal suture
- anteriorly it articulates with the zygomatic bone through the zygomatic process
- anteroinferiorly it articulates with the greater wing of the sphenoid bone
