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Definition

noun

A number of small air-filled spaces in the mastoid process of the temporal bone.

Supplement

Normally, they are filled with air. They can fill with fluid or pus when there is chronic infection such as mastoiditis and chronic otitis. When the infection is severe mastoidectomy is applied as the common treatment.

Synonyms:

• cellulae mastoideae
• mastoid air cells
• mastoid sinuses