Just lateral to the greater wing of the sphenoid is the squamous part of the temporal bone, which participates in the temporomandibular joint. It contains the mandibular fossa, which is a concavity where the head of the mandible articulates with the base of the skull. An important feature of this articulation is the prominent articular tubercle, which is the downward projection of the anterior border of the mandibular fossa (Fig. 8.23).