DR 5 - Face, Temporal and Infratemporal Fossa

The chorda tympani nerve is responsible for carrying taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue to the brain.

The facial artery is a major blood vessel responsible for supplying blood to the face.

The posterior auricular vein drains blood from the back of the ear and scalp into the external jugular vein, which then connects to the subclavian vein.

The parotid gland, one of the major salivary glands, is responsible for producing saliva.

The facial nerve, responsible for facial expressions, also controls the parotid gland.

For parotid gland tumors, surgery is often the primary treatment option.

The maxillary artery is the largest branch of the external carotid artery and is located in the infratemporal fossa.

The middle meningeal artery, which is a branch of the maxillary artery, is significant clinically because it can cause bleeding when there is a skull fracture.

The infraorbital artery, also a branch of the maxillary artery, is the most clinically important branch due to its role in supplying structures around the eye and cheek.

The temporalis muscle, located on the side of the head, plays a major role in raising the eyebrows.

The muscles of mastication, including the temporalis, masseter, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid, work together to move and elevate the mandible (jawbone).

The mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve, supplies the muscles of mastication with nerve signals necessary for their function.

The lateral pterygoid muscle, responsible for elevating the mandible, also helps with side-to-side jaw movement.

The masseter muscle originates from the zygomatic bone and arch and plays a key role in closing the jaw.

The medial pterygoid muscle has two heads, the deep head originating from the sphenoid bone and the superficial head from the maxilla, both contributing to jaw movement.

The upper and lower heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle, originating from different locations, work together for jaw movement.

The pterygoid plexus is a network of veins located in the infratemporal fossa, an important area for understanding structures related to the jaw and face.

The auriculotemporal branch of the mandibular nerve supplies the parotid gland and the skin of the ear with sensory innervation.

The inferior alveolar nerve enters the mandible through the mandibular foramen, supplying the teeth and surrounding tissues.

The infratemporal fossa is a complex anatomical space that houses the maxillary artery, mandibular nerve, and pterygoid muscles, all crucial for understanding the anatomy of the jaw and face.

The facial skeleton includes key bones like the zygomatic bone, zygomatic arch, and ramus of the mandible, providing support and structure for the face.

The temporal and infratemporal fossa are important regions to study for understanding the anatomy of the face and jaw. They contain numerous nerves, arteries, and muscles that control facial expressions, chewing, and other functions.