Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionCauses of PainTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Causes of Pain
Treatment
Themastoid processis a bony projection on the temporal bone—located behind your ears on each side of your skull. Due to its location, ear issues—such as a middle ear infection—can cause pain at the mastoid process. This bone also provides an attachment point for several muscles.
This article discusses the mastoid process structure, function, associated conditions, and potential treatment options for people experiencing mastoid process complications.
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Anatomy of the Mastoid Process
The mastoid process is a pointed bony projection that can be found at the base of the mastoid part of thetemporal bones. These bones are located on each side of the skull.
Structure
The mastoid process is cone-shaped. It has a deep groove on its inner surface called thedigastric fossa, to which thedigastricmuscle (the muscle that facilitates chewing, swallowing, and speech) attaches. The occipital groove is located on the mastoid process. It contains the occipital artery, which provides blood to muscles in the back of the neck.
The mastoid process also has a hollow section containing mastoid air cells, which communicate with themiddle ear. The mastoid cells do not develop until puberty.
Location
The mastoid process is located at the base of the temporal bones on each side of the skull. These structures are the bony bumps you can feel behind your earlobes.
Mastoid Process
What’s the Function of the Mastoid Process?
The mastoid process is an attachment point for muscles that move the head and neck. These include the following:
What Causes Pain in the Mastoid Process?
Symptoms of mastoiditis can include:
Tightness in the sternocleidomastoid muscle can also cause mastoid process pain due to a muscle strain or a more significant medical condition calledacquired torticollisin children orcervical dystoniain adults.
Complications of MastoiditisInfection from mastoiditis can spread and lead to severe complications such as:MeningitisBrain abscess (pus and infectious fluid)Hearing lossFacial paralysis
Complications of Mastoiditis
Infection from mastoiditis can spread and lead to severe complications such as:MeningitisBrain abscess (pus and infectious fluid)Hearing lossFacial paralysis
Infection from mastoiditis can spread and lead to severe complications such as:
Possible Treatment Options
Treatment for mastoid process pain depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. Some common causes of mastoid process pain are mastoiditis, torticollis (in children), and cervical dystonia (in adults).
Mastoiditis Treatment
Mastoiditis can present as a mild infection or lead to life-threatening complications. Treatment for this condition typically requires hospitalization and intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
Depending on the severity of their mastoiditis, some people require surgery to drain excess fluid from the middle ear. A healthcare provider might placetubesin the ear to help avoid future fluid buildup.
Torticollis and Cervical Dystonia Treatment
In people with cervical dystonia, a healthcare provider may surgically alter small areas in the brain that cause muscle spasms. During surgical treatment for this condition, a surgeon might also cut the nerves that connect to the spinal cord or enter the affected muscles to help treat symptoms.
Surgical treatment for these conditions is rare. Before considering surgery, a healthcare provider will recommend the following treatments for acquired torticollis and cervical dystonia:
Adults with cervical dystonia might also benefit from:
Summary
The mastoid process is a bony projection at the base of the temporal bones on each side of the skull. The mastoid processes can be felt behind the ear lobes. This structure is an attachment point for several head and neck muscles. It also contains air cells that help drain fluid from the middle ear.
Pain at the mastoid process can arise from mastoiditis or conditions affecting the sternocleidomastoid muscle—such as torticollis and cervical dystonia. Treatment for these conditions includes antibiotics, stretching, physical therapy, and, in rare cases, surgery.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gray H.Gray’s Anatomy. 15th edition. Barnes & Noble, Inc. 2010.KenHub.Mastoid process.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Mastoiditis.El Bouhmadi K, Oukessou Y, Saout Arrih B, Rouadi S, Abada R, Mahtar M.The outcomes of congenital torticollis delayed surgery in older children: A case series.Int J Surg Case Rep. 2023;106:108144. doi:10.1007%2Fs11999-013-3388-6National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dystonia.Yale Medicine.Torticollis.Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.Deep brain stimulation.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gray H.Gray’s Anatomy. 15th edition. Barnes & Noble, Inc. 2010.KenHub.Mastoid process.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Mastoiditis.El Bouhmadi K, Oukessou Y, Saout Arrih B, Rouadi S, Abada R, Mahtar M.The outcomes of congenital torticollis delayed surgery in older children: A case series.Int J Surg Case Rep. 2023;106:108144. doi:10.1007%2Fs11999-013-3388-6National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dystonia.Yale Medicine.Torticollis.Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.Deep brain stimulation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gray H.Gray’s Anatomy. 15th edition. Barnes & Noble, Inc. 2010.KenHub.Mastoid process.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Mastoiditis.El Bouhmadi K, Oukessou Y, Saout Arrih B, Rouadi S, Abada R, Mahtar M.The outcomes of congenital torticollis delayed surgery in older children: A case series.Int J Surg Case Rep. 2023;106:108144. doi:10.1007%2Fs11999-013-3388-6National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dystonia.Yale Medicine.Torticollis.Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.Deep brain stimulation.
Gray H.Gray’s Anatomy. 15th edition. Barnes & Noble, Inc. 2010.
KenHub.Mastoid process.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Mastoiditis.
El Bouhmadi K, Oukessou Y, Saout Arrih B, Rouadi S, Abada R, Mahtar M.The outcomes of congenital torticollis delayed surgery in older children: A case series.Int J Surg Case Rep. 2023;106:108144. doi:10.1007%2Fs11999-013-3388-6
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dystonia.
Yale Medicine.Torticollis.
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.Deep brain stimulation.
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