Infratemporal Fossa Anatomy

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Questions and Answers

The medial pterygoid muscle originates solely from the medial surface of the lateral pterygoid plate.

False (B)

The maxillary artery is a terminal branch of the internal carotid artery.

False (B)

The lateral pterygoid muscle is primarily responsible for closing the mouth.

False (B)

The inferior alveolar artery supplies the maxillary teeth.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The mental branch of the inferior alveolar artery emerges from the mental foramen.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The auriculotemporal nerve lies inferior to the maxillary artery near the neck of the mandible.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The middle meningeal artery passes through the foramen ovale.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The accessory meningeal artery is a significant blood supplier to the trigeminal ganglion.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The maxillary artery has five branches from its second part, all of which enter foramina in bones.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The deep auricular artery supplies the middle ear.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The infratemporal fossa shares a border with the pterygopalatine fossa via the pterygomaxillary fissure.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The lateral pterygoid plate forms the medial boundary of the infratemporal fossa.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The infratemporal fossa's anterior boundary is the posterior surface of the maxilla, accommodating foramina for the anterior superior alveolar nerves.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The roof of the infratemporal fossa is entirely bony, formed by the greater wing of the sphenoid.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The infratemporal crest demarcates the point where the sphenoid bone transitions to become part of the temporal fossa.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The superior boundary of the infratemporal fossa is defined by the upper portion of the carotid artery.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The mandibular nerve, along with its branches, including the chorda tympani, is located within the infratemporal fossa.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Both heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle originate from the infratemporal surface of the sphenoid bone.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The insertion point of the temporalis muscle is the coronoid process of the mandible, located within the infratemporal fossa.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The inferior alveolar nerve traverses the infratemporal fossa.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The sphenopalatine artery, originating from the maxillary artery, is the primary arterial supply to the nasal cavity.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The posterior superior alveolar artery's branches access the maxillary sinus through foramina located on the anterior wall of the maxilla.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The greater palatine artery gains access to the hard palate by way of the palatovaginal canal.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The pterygoid plexus receives venous drainage from the inferior ophthalmic veins and the deep facial vein.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The infraorbital artery follows a path through the inferior orbital fissure, then along the roof of the orbit and the infraorbital canal before merging with the infraorbital nerve on the face.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The posterior superior alveolar nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve, divides into dental branches that typically have distinct foramina observable in a dried skull.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The buccal branch of the mandibular nerve supplies the mucous membrane of the vestibule alongside the molar teeth.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The mylohyoid nerve, after branching from the inferior alveolar nerve, travels within the mylohyoid groove specifically created by the mylohyoid vein.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The pterygoid plexus contributes to venous return but is not influenced by the activity of the lateral pterygoid muscle.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The sphenomandibular ligament's attachment extends to the lingula, inferior margin of the mandibular foramen, and the medial surface of the ramus of the mandible.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Infratemporal Fossa

A space beneath the base of the skull, between the pharynx and mandible.

Boundaries of Infratemporal Fossa

Medial: lateral pterygoid plate; Lateral: ramus of mandible; Anterior: maxilla; Posterior: upper carotid sheath.

Medial Boundary

The lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid plate, housing muscles behind it.

Pterygomaxillary Fissure

A gap between the lateral pterygoid plate and maxilla connecting to the pterygopalatine fossa.

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Lateral Wall

Formed by the ramus of the mandible and its coronoid process.

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Roof of Infratemporal Fossa

Upper part formed by sphenoid & temporal bone without bony covering laterally.

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Contents of Infratemporal Fossa

Houses medial/lateral pterygoid muscles, maxillary artery, mandibular nerve, and otic ganglion.

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Lateral Pterygoid Muscle

Muscle with two heads; upper from skull, lower from lateral pterygoid plate, inserts into pterygoid fovea.

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Maxillary Artery

The main arterial supply within the infratemporal fossa.

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Temporylis Insertion

The attachment point of the temporalis muscle into the coronoid process of the mandible.

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Upper Fibres of Tendon

Fibers that connect to the articular disc of the temporomandibular joint.

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Mandibular Nerve

A branch providing nerve supply to the muscles of mastication.

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Medial Pterygoid Muscle

A muscle involved in closing the mouth and chewing, with two heads.

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Action of Medial Pterygoid

Closes the mouth and moves the mandible medially.

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Inferior Alveolar Artery

Supplies blood to the mandibular teeth and body.

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Middle Meningeal Artery

Supplies blood to the dura mater in the skull.

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Auriculotemporal Nerve

Nerve that lies above the maxillary artery; carries sensory information.

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Pterygoid Muscles

A pair of muscles assisting in mastication.

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Sphenopalatine Artery

Main artery supplying the nasal cavity, branches from the maxillary artery.

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Posterior Superior Alveolar Artery

Artery that supplies molar teeth and maxillary sinus via foramina.

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Greater Palatine Artery

Enters the greater palatine foramen to supply the hard palate.

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Pharyngeal Artery

Small artery entering the palatovaginal canal to supply the pharynx.

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Infraorbital Artery

Artery that emerges on the face after passing through the inferior orbital fissure.

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Pterygoid Plexus

Network of veins around the lateral pterygoid muscle assisting venous return.

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Maxillary Veins

Drains blood from the pterygoid plexus and unites to form the retromandibular vein.

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Sphenomandibular Ligament

Ligament extending from sphenoid spine to mandibular foramen, associated with Meckel's cartilage.

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Mylohyoid Nerve

Nerve branching from the inferior alveolar nerve, supplying mylohyoid muscle.

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Venous Drainage Pathways

Alternative routes for pterygoid plexus drainage including facial and deep facial veins.

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Study Notes

Infratemporal Fossa

  • Location: Space beneath the skull base, between the pharynx's side wall and mandible's ramus.

  • Boundaries:

    • Medial: Lateral pterygoid plate, tensor & levator palati muscles, superior constrictor. Pterygomaxillary fissure connects to pterygopalatine fossa.
    • Lateral: Ramus and coronoid process of the mandible.
    • Anterior: Posterior (infratemporal) surface of the maxilla (contains foramina for posterior superior alveolar nerves/vessels). Gap between maxilla and greater wing of sphenoid (inferior orbital fissure).
    • Roof: Infratemporal surface of greater sphenoid wing; adjacent temporal bone. Lateral to infratemporal crest, space deep to zygomatic arch (communication with temporal fossa).
    • Posterior: Upper part of the carotid sheath.
  • Contents:

    • Medial and lateral pterygoid muscles, fat.
    • Temporalis insertion to coronoid process.
    • Maxillary artery and branches, pterygoid venous plexus.
    • Mandibular nerve, branches, otic ganglion, chorda tympani.
    • Posterior superior alveolar branches of maxillary nerve.

Lateral Pterygoid Muscle

  • Origin: Two heads: upper from infratemporal skull surface; lower from lateral pterygoid plate.
  • Insertion: Pterygoid fovea (beneath medial end of mandible). Upper fibres extend to temporomandibular joint disc and capsule.
  • Nerve Supply: Branch from anterior division of mandibular nerve.
  • Action: Draws condyle and disc forward; essential for mouth opening.

Medial Pterygoid Muscle

  • Origin: Two heads: deeper head from medial pterygoid plate and fossa; superficial head from maxilla and palatine bone.
  • Insertion: Angle of mandible.
  • Nerve Supply: Branch from mandibular nerve.
  • Action: Elevates, protracts, and moves mandible laterally; crucial chewing muscle.

Maxillary Artery

  • Origin: Terminal branch of external carotid, with superficial temporal artery.
  • Course: Passes deep to mandibular neck, between neck and sphenomandibular ligament. Typically deep to lateral pterygoid.
  • Sections: Categorized into 3 parts (before, on & beyond lateral pterygoid), each yielding different branches.
    • First Part Branches (bone): Inferior alveolar, middle meningeal, accessory meningeal, and 2 ear branches.
    • Second Part Branches (soft tissue): Pterygoid muscles, deep temporal branches to temporalis, lingual & buccal nerve branches.
    • Third Part Branches (pterygopalatine fossa): 5 branches with pterygopalatine ganglion and nerves; becomes sphenopalatine artery in sphenopalatine foramen.
  • Branches (specific/important):
    • Inferior Alveolar: Downwards and forwards, supplies mandibular teeth; mental branch (lip, skin).
    • Middle Meningeal: Upwards to foramen spinosum, supplies skull bone.
    • Accessory Meningeal: Upwards through foramen ovale, supplies dura mater, trigeminal ganglion.
    • Ear Branches: Superficial/deep auricular and anterior tympanic artery (middle ear).
  • Other Branches: Post. superior alveolar, greater palatine, pharyngeal, pterygoid canal artery, infraorbital (orbit, floor).

Pterygoid Venous Plexus

  • Description: Network of small veins surrounding the lateral pterygoid muscle.
  • Function: Acts as "peripheral heart," aids venous return during mouth opening; receives inferior ophthalmic and deep facial vein drainage.
  • Drainage: Maxillary veins, which join superficial temporal to form retromandibular vein; or via facial vein.

Sphenomandibular Ligament

  • Location: Connects sphenoid spine to mandibular lingula and foramen's inferior margin.
  • Structure: Flat fibrous band.
  • Contents: Auriculotemporal nerve, maxillary artery and vein, inferior alveolar nerve and vessels.
  • Note: Pierced by mylohyoid nerve and artery.

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