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“mastoid process”
mastoid process
1. A nipple-shaped process of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone extending downward and forward behind the external auditory meatus.
The auditory, or acoustic, meatus consists of two passages in the ear; the external acoustic meatus leads from the auricle to the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and the internal acoustic meatus which is for the passage of nerves and blood vessels.
2. The nipple-like projection of the petrous (hard, stony) part of the temporal bone or a very complex bone situated in the side of the skull of most mammals and containing the organ of hearing.
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mastoido-, mastoid- +
(page 1)
(Greek: breast; used in the specialized sense as "of or pertaining to the breast-shaped mastoid process of the temporal bone)