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The asterion is a meeting point between three sutures between bones of the skull. It is an important surgical landmark.
In human anatomy, the asterion is a visible (craniometric) point on the exposed skull. It is just posterior to the ear. It is the point where three cranial sutures meet:
It is also the point where three cranial bones meet:
- the parietal bone.
- the occipital bone.
- the mastoid portion of the temporal bone.
In the adult, it lies 4 cm behind and 12 mm above the center of the entrance to the ear canal.[citation needed] Its relation to other anatomical structures is fairly variable.[2]
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Neurosurgeons may use the asterion to orient themselves, in order to plan safe entry into the skull for some operations, such as when using a retro-sigmoid approach. The asterion marks the junction of the transverse and the sigmoid sinuses[1][3]
The asterion receives its name from the Greek ἀστέριον (astērion), meaning "star" or "starry".
The Mercedes point is an alternative term for the asterion, for its resemblance to the Mercedes-Benz logo.
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