articular tubercle of temporal bone (articular eminence of temporal bone)

Introduction

Articular eminence of the temporal bone which bounds the mandibular fossa anteriorly. In broad terms:

• Forms the anterior root of the zygomatic process
• Enclosed by the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint with the articular fossa
• The head of the mandible (& intervening articular disc) move onto the articular tubercle to allow full depression of the mandible(opening of the mouth).

Function

allows full depression of the mandible (opening of the mouth).

More general terms

• tubercle (tuberculum)

Additional terms

• postglenoid foramen
• skull (cranium)

Component of

• temporal bone