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 | GraySubject = 46 | GrayPage = 184 | Image = Gray189.png | Caption = Left infratemporal fossa. | Image2 = | Caption2 = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = f_14 | DorlandsSuf = 12376096 | }} 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== <div class="references-small"> <references/> </div> ==External links== * {{eMedicineDictionary|Infratemporal+fossa}} {{Gray's}} {{Sutures}}