Infratemporal fossa
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| Infratemporal fossa | |
|---|---|
 Left infratemporal fossa. | |
| Details | |
| Part of | Skull |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | fossa infratemporalis |
| MeSH | D000080884 |
| TA98 | A02.1.00.024 |
| TA2 | 428 |
| FMA | 75308 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The infratemporal fossa is an irregularly shaped cavity that is a part of the skull. It is situated below and medial to the zygomatic arch. It is not fully enclosed by bone in all directions. It contains superficial muscles, including the lower part of the temporalis muscle, the lateral pterygoid muscle, and the medial pterygoid muscle. It also contains important blood vessels such as the middle meningeal artery, the pterygoid plexus, and the retromandibular vein, and nerves such as the mandibular nerve (CN V3) and its branches.
Structure
Boundaries
The boundaries of the infratemporal fossa occur:
- anteriorly, by the infratemporal surface of the maxilla,[1] and the ridge which descends from its zygomatic process. This contains the alveolar canal.
- posteriorly, by the spina angularis of the sphenoid.
- superiorly, by the temporal squama, containing the foramen ovale, which transmits the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, and the foramen spinosum, which transmits the middle meningeal artery.
- inferiorly, by the medial pterygoid muscle attaching to the mandible.
- medially, by the lateral pterygoid plate.[1]
- laterally, by the mylohyoid groove descends obliquely transmitting the mylohyoid nerve the only motor branch of the posterior division of the trigeminal nerve.
Contents
Muscles
- Lower part of the temporalis muscle and masseter muscle(origin of masseter muscle:lower margin of the inner surface of zygomatic bone insertion : outer surface of the ramus of the mandible)
- Lateral pterygoid muscle and medial pterygoid muscle.[1]
Arteries
The infratemporal fossa contains the maxillary artery (originating from the external carotid artery).[1] It also contains some of its branches, including the:
- middle meningeal artery
- inferior alveolar artery
- deep temporal artery
- buccal artery
Veins
The infratemporal fossa contains the pterygoid plexus,[1] and the retromandibular vein.
Nerves
The infratemporal fossa contains the
Mandibular nerve
The mandibular nerve, the third branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3), also known as the "inferior maxillary nerve", enters infratemporal fossa from the middle cranial fossa through the foramen ovale of the sphenoid bone.[3]
The mandibular nerve gives off four nerves to the four
The mandibular nerve also gives off many sensory branches, including:
- meningeal nerve
- buccal nerve
- auriculotemporal nerve
- lingual nerve
- inferior alveolar nerve
- auricle
- external acoustic meatus
- tympanic membrane
- temporal region
- cheek
- skin overlying the mandible (except at the angle of the mandible)
- floor of mouth
- lower teeth
- gingiva
Communications
The infratemporal fossa is connected to other spaces in the skull. It is connected to the middle cranial fossa by the foramen ovale and the foramen spinosum. It is connected to the temporal fossa, which lies deep to zygomatic arch. It is connected to the pterygopalatine fossa through the pterygomaxillary fissure. It is connected to the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure. It is also connected to the parapharyngeal space. The inferior orbital fissure and the pterygomaxillary fissure form a T shape together.
Clinical significance
Certain neoplasms can spread into the infratemporal fossa.[4][5] This can be surgically removed through the middle cranial fossa.[4] The infratemporal fossa can also be used to approach other parts of the skull.[6] The infratemporal fossa can be imaged using a CT scan.[5]
Additional images
-
Infratemporal fossa -
Infratemporal fossa. Lingual and inferior alveolar nerve. Deep dissection. Anterolateral view
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 184 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ S2CID 38434579.
- ^ Moore, Keith L & Dalley, Arthur (2006). Clinically oriented anatomy (5th ed.), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- ISBN 978-0-12-803633-4.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4160-6839-6.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4160-6839-6.
- S2CID 12548018.
