Infratemporal Fossa

Question 1

Boundaries of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 1

Laterally - ramus of mandible
Medially - lateral pterygoid plate
Anteriorly - posterior apsect of maxilla
Posteriorly - tympanic plate, mastoid and styloid process of temporal bone
Inferiorly - where medial pterygoid muscle attaches to mandible near its angle
Superiorly - infratemporal/inferior surface of greater wing of sphenoid

Question 2

PICTURE Contents of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 2

Inferior part of the temporalis muscle
Lateral and medial pterygoid muscles
Maxillary artery 
Pterygoid venous plexus 
Mandibular plus branches, inferior alveolar, lingual, buddy, and chorda tympani nerves 
Otic ganglion

Question 3

Openings of the infratemporal fossa and what goes through some of them?

Answer 3

Foramen ovale (mandibular division of fifth nerve)
Foramen spinosum (middle meningeal artery)
Alveolar canal
Inferior orbital fissure
Pterygomaxillary fissure

Question 4

How does the infratemporal fossa communicate with the temporal fossa?

Answer 4

Interval between the zygomatic arch and the cranial bones

Question 5

Which nerves can be blocked in the infratemporal fossa? Which one used in dentistry?

Answer 5

Mandibular nerve

Inferior alveolar nerve - dentist

Question 6

Which nerves are also affected in mandibular nerve block?

Answer 6

Inferior alveolar
Lingual
Buccal
Auriculotemporal

Question 7

Where is the mandibular nerve injected?

Answer 7

As it enters the infratemporal fossa

Question 8

Where is the inferior alveolar nerve injected?

Answer 8

Around the mandibular foramen in the medial side of the mandible

Question 9

What is anaesthetised when the inferior alveolar nerve is injected?

Answer 9

All mandibular teeth to medial side

Skin and mucous membrane of lower lip

Question 10

What is the other clinical relevance of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 10

Tumours
Often grow without detection for a long time
Advanced when diagnosed

Question 11

Why can infection in the deep pterygoid plexus be of danger to the eye?

Answer 11

Connected with both ophthalmic and anterior facial veins and so drains into the cavernous sinus.
Pus within the pterygoid venous plexus may increase ophthalmic venous pressure
May lead to cavernous sinus thrombosis with resultant paralysis o extraocular muscles.

Question 12

What and where is the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 12

Irregularly shaped space
Deep and inferior to zygomatic arch
Deep to ramus of mandible
Posterior to maxilla