Submasseteric space

Submasseteric space
Location of the masseter muscles. The submasseteric space is between the masseter and the mandible.
The four compartents of the right masticator space. A Temporalis muscle, B Masseter muscle, C Lateral pterygoid muscle, D Medial ptaerygoid muscle, E Superficial temporal space, F Deep temporal space, G Submasseteric space, H Pterygomandibular space, I Approximate location of infratemporal space
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The submasseterric space (also termed the masseteric space) is a

Structure

Anatomic boundaries

The boundaries of each submasseteric space are:

• the anterior margin of the masseter muscle anteriorly,
• the parotid gland posteriorly,^[1]
• the zygomatic arch superiorly,^[1]
• the inferior border of the mandible inferiorly,^[1]
• the lateral surface of the mandibular ramus medially (the submasseteric space is superficial to the mandible),^[1]
• the masseter muscle laterally (the submasseteric space is deep to masseter).^[1]

Communications

The communications of each submasseteric space are:

• to the buccal space anteriorly,
• to the pterygomandibular space (around the posterior margin of the mandibular ramus to its medial surface) and the parotid space posteriorly,
• to the superficial temporal space superiorly.

Contents

In health, the space contains:

• the masseteric artery and vein.^[1]

Clinical significance

Submasseteric abscesses are relatively rare, and may be confused with a parotid abscess or parotitis.^[2] They tend to be chronic.^[3] The submasseteric space may be involved by infections that spread from the buccal space.^[1] Sometimes mandibular fractures in the region of the angle of the mandible may cause an infection of the submasseteric space.^[1] The signs and symptoms of a submasseteric abscess may include marked trismus (i.e. difficulty opening the mouth, since the masseter elevates the mandible and it becomes restricted) and swelling in the region of the masseter muscle.^[1] The treatment of a submasseteric space infection is usually by surgical incision and drainage, and the incision is placed intra-orally (inside the mouth) or both intra and extra-orally if other parts of the masticator space are involved.

Odontogenic infections

The submasseteric space is sometimes involved by the spread of

• 
  Diagram showing lateral surface of the mandible and the area of insertion of the masseter muscle on the mandibular ramus.
• 
  The left masseter muscle (red highlight), shown partially covered by superficial muscles such as the platysma muscle, the zygomaticus major muscle and the zygomaticus minor muscle

References