The squamosal is a bone of the head of higher vertebrate

Vertebrate

Vertebrates are animals that are members of the subphylum Vertebrata . Vertebrates are the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks and rays, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds...

s. It is the principal component of the cheek region in the skull, lying below the temporal series and otic notch

Otic notch

Otic notches are invagination in the posterior margin of the skull roof, one behind each orbit. Such notches are found in labyrinthodonts and some of their immediate ancestors, but not their reptilian descendants...

 and bounded anteriorly by postorbital. Posteriorly, the squamosal articulates with the posterior elements of the palatal complex, namely the quadrate and pterygoid

Pterygoid

Pterygoid can refer to:* Pterygoid processes of the sphenoid bone** The Lateral pterygoid plate by it* a muscle such as Lateral pterygoid muscle or Medial pterygoid muscle* a branch of the Mandibular nerve...

. The squamosal is bordered anteroventrally by the jugal

Jugal

The jugal is a skull bone found in most reptiles, amphibians, and birds. In mammals, the jugal is often called the malar or Zygomatic. It is connected to the quadratojugal and maxilla, as well as other bones, which may vary by species....

 and ventrally by the quadratojugal

Quadratojugal

The quadratojugal is a small jaw bone that is present in most amphibians, reptiles, and birds, but has been lost in mammals. It is connected to the jugal as well as other bones, though these may vary with species....

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In many mammals, including humans, it fuses with the periotic bone

Periotic bone

Periotic bone is the single bone that surrounds the ear of mammals. It is formed from the fusion of the pro-otic, epiotic, and opisthotic bones.- External links :* http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-perioticbone.html...

 and the auditory bulla

Auditory bulla

The auditory bulla is a hollow bony structure on the ventral, posterior portion of the skull of placental mammals that encloses parts of the middle and inner ear. In most species, it is formed by the tympanic part of the temporal bone.In extant primates, the structure is found in tarsiers,...

 to form the temporal bone

Temporal bone

The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebrum.The temporal bone supports that part of the face known as the temple.-Parts:The temporal bone consists of four parts:* Squama temporalis...

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