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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the infratemporal fossa?
What is the primary function of the infratemporal fossa?
- It serves as a primary site for teeth extraction.
- It connects the thoracic cavity to the neck.
- It acts as a respiratory chamber.
- It contains the muscles of mastication. (correct)
Which nerve is involved in the sensory innervation of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?
Which nerve is involved in the sensory innervation of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?
- Mandibular nerve
- Chorda tympani nerve (correct)
- Maxillary nerve
- Inferior dental nerve
What is an important clinical application of the infratemporal fossa?
What is an important clinical application of the infratemporal fossa?
- It is used for palatine tonsillectomy.
- It supports the jaw during speech.
- It is important for inferior dental nerve blocks. (correct)
- It is where maxillary sinus infections occur.
Which structure is NOT a border of the infratemporal fossa?
Which structure is NOT a border of the infratemporal fossa?
Which passageway connects the pterygopalatine fossa to other significant areas?
Which passageway connects the pterygopalatine fossa to other significant areas?
Which nerve is transmitted through the pterygopalatine fossa?
Which nerve is transmitted through the pterygopalatine fossa?
What shape does the pterygopalatine fossa resemble?
What shape does the pterygopalatine fossa resemble?
Which structure is associated with maxillary nerve dental infiltrations?
Which structure is associated with maxillary nerve dental infiltrations?
Which of the following structures is a boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa?
Which of the following structures is a boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa?
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Study Notes
Infratemporal Fossa
- An irregularly shaped cavity located below and medial to the zygomatic arch
- Houses muscles of mastication, including:
- Lateral and medial pterygoid muscles within the fossa
- Masseter and temporalis muscles originating and inserting along the borders of the fossa
- Serves as a passageway for numerous neurovascular structures:
- Inferior dental nerves
- Maxillary artery and its branches
- Posterior division of the mandibular nerve
- Sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve
- Chorda tympani nerve responsible for taste sensation in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue
- Pterygoid plexus of veins
- Key anatomical boundaries:
- Greater wing of the sphenoid bone
- Medial pterygoid muscle
- Maxilla
- Styloid and condylar processes
- Sphenoid and palatine bones
- Ramus and coronoid process of the mandible
- Clinically significant for inferior dental nerve blocks
Pterygopalatine Fossa
- An inverted pyramid-shaped space located between the infratemporal fossa and the nasopharynx
- Characterized by its small size and complex structure
- Contains several foramina that connect the pterygopalatine fossa to:
- Orbit
- Nasal cavity
- Oral cavity
- Middle cranial fossa
- Infratemporal fossa
- Acts as a passageway for various neurovascular structures:
- Maxillary nerves
- Maxillary artery and its branches
- Pterygopalatine ganglion
- Important anatomical boundaries:
- Posterior wall of the maxillary sinus
- Pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone
- Palatine bone's perpendicular plate
- Inferior orbital fissure
- Pterygomaxillary fissure
- Key relevance in maxillary nerve dental infiltrations
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