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temporal

(Science: anatomy) Of or pertaining to the temple or temples; as, the temporal bone; a temporal artery. Temporal bone, a very complex bone situated in the side of the skull of most mammals and containing the organ of hearing. It consists of an expanded squamosal portion above the ear, corresponding to the squamosal and zygoma of the lower vertebrates, and a thickened basal petrosal and mastoid portion, corresponding to the periotic and tympanic bones of the lower vertebrates.

Origin: L. Temporalis, fr. Tempora the temples: cf. F. Temporal. See Temple a part of the head.