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infratemporal fossa

fossa infratemporalis

Situated below and medial to the zygomatic arch, the infratemporal fossa is an irregularly shaped cavity defined by the bones and muscles that surround it. Anteriorly it is bounded by the infratemporal surface of the maxilla, posteriorly by the articular tubercle of the temporal bone and the spine 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 medial pterygoid attaching to the mandible, medially by the lateral pterygoid plate, and laterally by the ramus of the mandible. Two foramina open into its roof: the foramen ovale, transmitting the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, and the foramen spinosum, transmitting the middle meningeal artery. The mandibular foramen on its lateral wall admits the inferior alveolar nerve.

The infratemporal fossa is an irregularly shaped cavity, situated below and medial to the zygomatic arch. Boundaries defined by: 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 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, 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 laterally, by the ramus of mandible, which contains the mandibular foramen, leading to the mandibular canal through which the inferior alveolar nerve passes. This also contains the lingula, a triangular piece of bone that overlies the mandibular foramen antero-medially. Finally, the mylohyoid groove descends obliquely transmitting the mylohyoid nerve the only motor branch of the anterior division of the trigeminal nerve.

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Tür Bone
Ana Yapı bone fossa
Latince Adı fossa infratemporalis
FMA ID 75308

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the infratemporal fossa?

The infratemporal fossa is an irregularly shaped space located below and medial to the zygomatic arch, behind the maxilla and beneath the temporal fossa. It contains important muscles, nerves, and vessels involved in mastication.

What are the boundaries of the infratemporal fossa?

The infratemporal fossa is bounded anteriorly by the posterior surface of the maxilla, posteriorly by the styloid process, medially by the lateral pterygoid plate, and laterally by the ramus of the mandible. It has no true floor.

What structures are contained within the infratemporal fossa?

The infratemporal fossa contains the lateral and medial pterygoid muscles, the maxillary artery and its branches, the pterygoid venous plexus, the mandibular nerve (V3) and its branches, and the chorda tympani nerve.

What nerve passes through the infratemporal fossa?

The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3) enters the infratemporal fossa through the foramen ovale and gives off branches including the inferior alveolar, lingual, buccal, auriculotemporal, and masseteric nerves within this space.

What clinical conditions affect the infratemporal fossa?

The infratemporal fossa can be involved in deep space infections spreading from dental sources, tumors of the parapharyngeal or masticator space, and can be accessed surgically for infratemporal fossa approaches to skull base lesions.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:75308 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0013422 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)
  3. Wikipedia — infratemporal fossa Encyclopedia article (verified cross-reference)

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Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.