Infratemporal Fossa Flashcards
What is the anterior Border of the infratemporal fossa?
Posterior surface of maxillary bone
What is the posterior border of the infratemporal fossa?
Parotid Region
What is superior to the infratemporal fossa?
The infratemporal surface of greater wing of sphenoid.
What is the medial boundary of the infratemporal fossa?
Lateral pterygoid plate, spine of sphenoid, pterygomaxillary fissure
What is the lateral boundary of the infratemporal fossa?
Ramus of mandible
What are the origins and insertions of the lateral pterygoid muscle?
Superior head - from infratemporal surface of greater wing of sphenoid to the capsule/articular disc of TMJ.
Inferior head - from the lateral surface of pterygoid plate to the neck of mandible.
What are the origins and insertions of the medial pterygoid muscle?
Medial surface of the pterygoid plate to the medial surface of the mandible near the angle of mandible.
Where in the infratemporal fossa does the maxillary artery run?
It runs lateral to the lateral pterygoid muscle in most cases.
Name the major branches of the maxillary artery in the infratemporal fossa.
Middle meningeal Deep temporal Inferior alveolar Buccal Infraorbital (name change) sphenopalatine
Where does venous drainage to the pterygoid venous plexus come from?
Deep temporal vein, inferior alveolar vein, facial vein, etc.
Which structure inside the cranial cavity has a connection with the pterygoid venous plexus?
Cavernous sinus.
Describe the origin of the infraorbital Artery.
This is a continuation and terminal branch of the maxillary artery. This name change occurs after the artery passes through the inferior orbital fissure.
Where does the buccal nerve emerge in the infratemporal fossa?
Between the superior and inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle.
Where do the inferior alveolar and lingual Nerves emerge?
Inferior border of the inferior head of lateral pterygoid.
Describe the placement of the temporalis muscle.
This emerges from the deep temporal fossa and the overlying fascia and inserts into the coronoid process of the mandible.
