Infratemporal and Pterygopalatine Fossa Revision PDF

Infratemporal & Pterygopalatine fossa Infratemporal fossa Fossa = Shallow depression Irregular shaped cavity, below and medial to zygomatic arch. Contains muscles of mastication — Within the fossa; l...

Infratemporal & Pterygopalatine fossa Infratemporal fossa Fossa = Shallow depression Irregular shaped cavity, below and medial to zygomatic arch. Contains muscles of mastication — Within the fossa; lateral and medial pterygoid muscle. Originating and inserting border of fossa; masseter and temporalis. Passageway for many neuro-vascular structures — Inferior dental nerves Maxillary artery and branches Posterior division of mandibular nerve Sensory branches of trigeminal nerve Chorda tympani nerve - anterior 2/3rd of tongue Pterygoid plexus of veins. Borders — Greater wing of sphenoid bone Medial pterygoid muscle Maxilla Styloid & condylar processes Sphenoid & palatine bones Ramus & coronoid process of mandible. Important for inferior dental nerve blocks. Pterygopalatine fossa Inverted pyramid shape, between infratemporal fossa and nasopharynx. Small but complex. Several foramen that connect; pterygopalatine fossa to; orbit, nasal, oral cavity, middle cranial fossa & infratemporal fossa. Passageway for many neuro-vascular structures — Maxillary nerves Maxillary artery and branches Pterygopalatine ganglion. Borders — Posterior wall of maxillary sinus Pterygoid process of sphenoid bone Palatine bone; perpendicular plate Inferior orbital fissure Pterygomaxillary fissure Important for maxillary nerve dental infiltrations.