Face, temporal and infratemporal fossa

Question 1

Generally describe the location of the face and its structure and importance

Answer 1

Anterior aspect of head
Provides identity, important in communication and interaction with environment
Shape formed by underlying bones

Question 2

The muscles of the face are generally responsible for facial expression, closing eye and mouth, and conveying mood.

Name and outline the precise action of each muscle.

Answer 2

Occipitofrontalis- elevates eyebrows

Orbicularis oris- closes eyelids

Orbicularis oculi- closes mouth

Zygomaticus major- elevates labial commisure

Platysma- depresses mandible against resistance, tenses facia of neck

Buccinator- compresses cheek

Question 3

Outline the innervation of the face

Answer 3

Cutaneous
- Trigeminal nerve (CN5)

Muscles of facial expression
- Facial nerve (CN7)

Question 4

Describe the size of the parotid gland relative to the other salivary glands, its location and its interactions with other structures

Answer 4

Largest of them all (sublingual and submandibular)

Superficial to muscles

Parotid duct leaves gland at anterior edge and passes towards the corner of the mouth but turns deep through buccinator. The duct opens into oral cavity at upper 2nd molar tooth. The retromandibular vein and external carotid artery run through it.

Facial nerve passes through gland

Question 5

Name and outline the function of the muscles of mastication

Which nerve innervates them?

Answer 5

Temporalis- elevation, retraction

Masseter- Elevation

Medial pterygoid- elevation, side to side

Lateral pterygoid- Protusion and depression

Motor branch of V3 (Mandibular of trigeminal nerve -CN5)

Question 6

What is the temporal and infratemporal fossa?

Answer 6

Temporal fossa is a fan shaped space located on the lateral surface of the skull. It contains temporalis muscle and branches of V2

Infratemporal fossa is inferior to temporal fossa. It contains branches of facial nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve and pterygoid plexus of veins.

Question 7

State the arterial supply of the face

Answer 7

Provided from the external carotid artery

Branches include: lingual, facial, maxillary and superficial temporal arteries

Question 8

State the venous drainage of the face

Answer 8

Facial vein drains most (starting near edge)
Passes inferior and drains into internal jugular vein

Superficial temporal vein drains into the external JV