Infratemporal fossa
4681615
201445593
2008-03-27T23:21:46Z
75.18.205.127
/* Contents of the infratemporal fossa */
{{Infobox Anatomy |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = fossa infratemporalis |
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Image = Gray189.png |
Caption = Left infratemporal fossa. |
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DorlandsPre = f_14 |
DorlandsSuf = 12376096 |
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The '''infratemporal fossa''' is an irregularly shaped cavity, situated below and medial to the [[zygomatic arch]].
==Boundaries==
It is bounded by the following structures:
* ''anteriorly'', by the [[infratemporal surface]] of the [[maxilla]] and the ridge which descends from its [[zygomatic process]]
* ''posteriorly'', by the [[articular tubercle]] of the [[Temporal bone|temporal]] and the [[spinal angularis]] of the [[sphenoid]]
* ''superiorly'', by the [[greater wing of the sphenoid]] below the [[infratemporal crest]], and by the under surface of the [[temporal squama]]
* ''inferiorly'', by the [[alveolar border of the maxilla]]
* ''medially'', by the [[lateral pterygoid plate]]
* ''laterally'', by the [[ramus of mandible]]
it has no floor
== Contents of the infratemporal fossa ==
===Muscles===
* the lower part of the [[Temporalis]] muscle
* the [[Pterygoidei]] internus and externus (internal and external pterygoid muscle)
===Vessels===
The internal maxillary vessles, consisting of the [[maxillary artery]] originating from the [[external carotid artery]] and its branches.
Internal maxillary branches found within the infratemporal fossa including the
* [[middle meningeal artery]]
* [[inferior alveolar artery]]
* [[deep temporal artery]]
* [[buccal artery]]
VEINS
* pterygoid venous plexus
===Nerves===
[[Mandibular nerve]], [[inferior alveolar nerve]], [[lingual nerve]], [[buccal nerve]], [[chorda tympani nerve]], and [[otic ganglion]].<ref>Moore, Keith L & Dalley, Arthur (2006). Clinically oriented anatomy (5th ed.), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.</ref>
====Mandibular nerve====
* '''[[Mandibular nerve]]''' which is the third branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V<sub>3</sub>), also known as the "inferior maxillary nerve" or ''nervus mandibularis'', enters infratemporal fossa from [[middle cranial fossa]] through [[foramen ovale]].
Motor branches:
* [[meningeal nerve]]
* [[masseteric nerve]]
* [[deep temporal nerve]]
* [[lateral pterygoid nerve]] and [[medial pterygoid nerve]]
* [[buccal nerve]]
* [[auriculotemporal nerve]]
* [[lingual nerve]]
* [[inferior alveolar nerve]]
Its motor fibers innervate all the muscles of mastication plus the mylohyoid, anterior belly of the digastric, and the tensores veli palati and tympani
Sensory innervation:
* [[auricle]]
* [[external acoustic meatus]]
* [[tympanic membrane]]
* [[temporal region]]
* [[cheek]]
* skin overlying the [[mandible]] (except at the [[angle of the mandible]])
* [[anterior 2/3 of tongue]]
* [[floor of mouth]]
* [[lower teeth]]
* [[gingiva]]
== Osteology ==
The [[foramen ovale]] and [[foramen spinosum]] open on its roof, and the [[alveolar canals]] on its anterior wall.
At its upper and medial part are two fissures, which together form a T-shaped fissure, the horizontal limb being named the [[inferior orbital]], and the vertical one the [[pterygomaxillary]].
==References==
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==External links==
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Infratemporal+fossa}}
{{Gray's}}
{{Sutures}}