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Squamous part of temporal bone

The squamous part of the temporal bone (also known as the temporal squama) is a broad, flat, thin plate forming the anterosuperior segment of the temporal bone. It is situated above the external acoustic meatus and contributes to the lateral wall of the cranial vault, articulating with the parietal bone superiorly and the sphenoid bone anteriorly. The squamous part serves as a critical landmark in cranial anatomy and provides attachment points for various muscles. Its thinness and proximity to the brain make it clinically significant, particularly in trauma and pathology.

Synonyms

  • Temporal squama

  • Squamous temporal bone

  • Squama temporalis

  • Squamous plate of temporal bone

MRI Appearance

T1-Weighted Sequence

  • Appears as a thin, low signal intensity (dark) cortical bone plate.

  • Clearly demarcated from the adjacent high signal intensity of the temporal lobe cortex and extracranial soft tissues.

  • Marrow signal (if visualized) is typically hypointense due to the paucity of cancellous bone in this region.

Proton Density (PD) Sequence

  • The squamous part remains hypointense (dark), similar to other compact bones.

  • Adjacent soft tissues and brain parenchyma have higher signal intensity, providing good contrast for anatomical delineation.

  • Useful for evaluating subtle fractures or erosions.

STIR Sequence

  • Cortical bone of the squamous part shows very low signal (markedly hypointense), as expected for all compact bone.

  • Adjacent bone marrow (if present) would be suppressed, remaining hypointense.

  • Excellent for detecting marrow edema or soft tissue changes adjacent to the bone, though direct bone imaging remains low signal.

MRI images

Squamous part of temporal bone