Dental Anatomy and Nerve Innervation Quiz

Deep and inferior to the zygomatic arch, located deep to the ramus of the mandible and posterior to the maxilla. Communicates with the temporal fossa through a space between the zygomatic arch and cranial bones.

The lateral area of the scalp and deeper soft tissues that lie above the temporal fossa of the skull, above the zygomatic arch.

This space in the skull is bounded superiorly by the greater wing of the sphenoid and the temporal bones, anteriorly by the maxilla, posteriorly by the tympanic process of the temporal bone, medially by the lateral pterygoid plate, and laterally by the ramus of the mandible.

The infratemporal fossa contains the muscles of mastication, the maxillary artery and its branches, the maxillary vein and pterygoid venous plexus, and CN V3 nerves and the chorda tympani nerve.

The muscles of mastication are: Masseter, Temporalis, Medial Pterygoid, Lateral Pterygoid. All are innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.

The maxillary artery branches off into the middle meningeal artery, infraorbital artery, posterior superior alveolar artery, infraorbital artery, and sphenopalatine artery.

The deep face is drained by veins such as the maxillary vein, pterygoid plexus, superficial temporal vein, and facial vein.

The mandibular division of CN V is responsible for sensory and motor functions of the face. Branches include the buccal nerve, mental nerve, inferior alveolar nerve, auriculotemporal nerve

The mental nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that supplies sensation to the lower lip, chin, and front teeth.

The lingual nerve provides sensory innervation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, and the gums of the lower teeth.

The chorda tympani carries taste fibers from the front part of the tongue to the brain and also carries parasympathetic fibers to salivary glands.

The long buccal nerve provides sensation to the skin and mucous membrane of the cheek, including the gums of the molars (back teeth).

The mandibular nerve (CN V3) supplies the muscles of mastication, which are the muscles responsible for chewing.

The largest division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It has both sensory and motor components, supplying the muscles of mastication and sensation to the lower face, teeth, and temporomandibular joint.

A sensory branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that provides sensation to the temporomandibular joint, auricle, and temporal region. It also carries parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland.

A sensory branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that runs through the mandibular canal and provides sensory innervation to the mandibular teeth.

A branch of the inferior alveolar nerve (CN V3) that supplies the anterior belly of the digastric muscle and carries both sensory and motor fibers.

A ganglion that receives postsynaptic parasympathetic fibers from the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and relays them to the parotid gland via the auriculotemporal nerve.

A branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) that provides parasympathetic innervation to the parotid gland.

A branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) that contributes to the tympanic plexus in the middle ear.

A collection of nerves within the middle ear that includes the tympanic nerve and helps to control the muscles and glands in the ear.

A modified hinge-type synovial joint, responsible for movements like elevation/depression, protrusion/retrusion, and some side-to-side pivoting.

The area where the TMJ connects, consisting of the mandibular (glenoid) fossa and articular eminence of the temporal bone, as well as the head of the mandible.

A tough, fibrous sac that encloses the TMJ, attaching to the mandibular fossa, articular tubercle, and mandibular condyle.

Strong ligaments that stabilize and protect the TMJ, including the lateral (temporomandibular) ligament and the collateral (discal) ligaments.

The strongest TMJ ligament, strengthening the joint laterally and preventing posterior dislocation.

A tough, fibrous band that runs from the spine of the sphenoid bone to the lingula of the mandible, helping to limit the forward protrusion of the jaw.

A thickening of the fibrous capsule of the parotid gland that runs from the styloid process to the angle of the mandible, also limiting forward protrusion of the jaw.

A fibrocartilaginous disc separating the bony articulations of the TMJ, attached to the joint capsule and the superior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex joint responsible for jaw movements.

The TMJ is divided into a superior and inferior cavity, each lined by synovial membrane.

The TMJ allows for three primary movements:

1. Rotation/Hinge: Opening and closing the mouth.
2. Translation/Gliding: Protrusion (moving the jaw forward) and retrusion (moving the jaw backward).
3. Grinding/Pivoting: Side-to-side movements during chewing.

The superior cavity of the TMJ is responsible for translational movements, like protruding and retracting the jaw.

The inferior cavity of the TMJ is responsible for rotational movements, like opening and closing the mouth, and pivoting movements used for side-to-side chewing.

The first 15° of mouth opening is achieved primarily through rotation/hinge movement within the inferior cavity.

Beyond 15° of mouth opening, the superior cavity is recruited, involving translational movement of the mandible.

Side-to-side chewing movements involve the 'resting condyle' and the 'swinging condyle'. The resting condyle rotates, while the swinging condyle translates.

The auriculotemporal nerve innervates the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and carries sensory information to the external ear, tympanic membrane, temple, and TMJ.

The auriculotemporal nerve carries sensory fibers (GSA) for the external ear, tympanic membrane, temple, and TMJ. It also carries parasympathetic fibers (GVE) from the lesser petrosal nerve that innervate the parotid gland.

The TMJ receives blood supply from the superficial temporal artery (terminal branch of the external carotid artery), the deep auricular artery (branch of the maxillary artery), and the anterior tympanic artery (branch of the maxillary artery).

TMJ dislocation is the displacement of the mandibular condyle from the mandibular fossa. It can be unilateral (one side) or bilateral (both sides), with the anterior dislocation being the most common. Posterior, superior, and lateral dislocations are less frequent and usually associated with trauma.

TMJ dislocation can occur due to both atraumatic (non-traumatic) and traumatic causes. Although the majority of dislocations are anterior, other directions like posterior, superior, and lateral are rarer and often linked to trauma.