mastoid bone

/'mæstɔid'boun/
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Thân thiện
mastoid bone

A doctor points to the mastoid bone on a medical diagram.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Mastoid bone: A conical, bony prominence of the temporal bone located behind the external ear. It serves as an attachment point for several neck muscles and contains air-filled spaces (mastoid cells) that connect to the middle ear cavity.
Usage
  • The term "mastoid bone" is used primarily in medical, anatomical, and biological contexts to refer to this specific part of the skull.
  • It is often discussed in relation to ear infections (mastoiditis), surgical procedures (mastoidectomy), or anatomical descriptions.
Examples
  • Noun:
    • The infection spread from the middle ear to the mastoid bone.
    • A CT scan revealed a fracture in the patient's mastoid bone.
    • The surgeon carefully drilled into the mastoid bone to access the infected cells.
Advanced Usage
  • "Mastoid process": This is the full anatomical term for the prominent, nipple-like projection of the mastoid bone that can be felt behind the ear.
    • The doctor palpated the mastoid process to check for tenderness.
  • "Mastoid air cells": Refers to the hollow, honeycomb-like spaces within the mastoid bone.
    • The inflammation had blocked the mastoid air cells.
Variants and Related Words
  • Mastoid (adj): Pertaining to the mastoid bone or its process.
    • The patient underwent mastoid surgery.
  • Mastoiditis (n): A medical condition involving infection and inflammation of the mastoid air cells.
    • Acute mastoiditis is a serious complication of otitis media.
  • Mastoidectomy (n): A surgical procedure to remove part of the mastoid bone.
    • A radical mastoidectomy was performed to eradicate the chronic infection.
Synonyms
  • Mastoid process: The most precise synonym, referring to the same bony projection.
  • Mastoid: Often used informally in medical contexts to refer to the bone or the area.
Related Phrases
  • "To have mastoiditis": To be diagnosed with an infection of the mastoid bone.
    • The child was hospitalized after he was found to have mastoiditis.
  • "Mastoid tenderness": Pain upon touching the area over the mastoid bone, a common clinical sign.
    • Mastoid tenderness is a key symptom the physician looks for.
Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms that specifically feature the term "mastoid bone." It is a technical anatomical term.)

mastoid bone

A doctor points to the mastoid bone on a medical diagram.

Noun
  1. process of the temporal bone behind the ear at the base of the skull

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