The correct spelling of the anatomical term "emissarium mastoideum" can be tricky as it involves various consonant clusters and vowel sounds. The word starts with the "eh-muh" sound, followed by "sih" and "a" sounds. The consonant cluster "ss" is then followed by "air-ee-uhm" and "mah-stoh-ai-dee-uhm". In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /ɛˌmɪsɛˈriːəm ˈmæstoʊɪdiəm/. The emissarium mastoideum is a small channel in the skull bone that connects to the sigmoid sinus.
Emissarium mastoideum is a term used in anatomy to describe a small canal or opening located in the mastoid region of the skull. The term is derived from Latin, with "emissarium" meaning "an outlet" or "a passage," and "mastoideum" referring to the mastoid process, a bony prominence behind the ear.
The emissarium mastoideum serves as a conduit within the skull, connecting the mastoid air cells, which are air-filled spaces in the mastoid process, with other structures in the head. It typically opens into the sigmoid sinus, a large venous sinus located in the temporal bone. The sigmoid sinus carries deoxygenated blood from the brain back to the jugular vein.
The main function of the emissarium mastoideum is to facilitate the drainage of fluids, particularly venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid, from the mastoid air cells and adjacent areas. This helps to maintain proper pressure within the skull and prevent the accumulation of fluids, which can lead to various complications.
The term "emissarium mastoideum" may be commonly encountered in medical literature discussing the anatomy and physiology of the skull, especially in relation to the mastoid process. It is important to understand the concept of emissarium mastoideum in order to appreciate its role in the overall function and health of the skull.
Connecting the transverse sinus with the occipital vein or one of the radicles of the external jugular.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.