Infratemporal Fossa

Question 1

How do the motor and sensory roots of V3 meet up?

Answer 1

The large sensory root of the mandibular n. (V3) emerges from the lateral part of the trigeminal ganglion and exits the skull via the foramen ovale. The small motor root passes under the ganglion and through the foramen ovale to unite with the sensory root just inferior to the skull.

Question 2

What muscles does the mandibular n. pass through after exiting the skull?

Answer 2

the tensor veil palatine (medial) and the laterally pterygoid m. (lateral)

Question 3

What can a lateral view of the temporal region be divided into?

Answer 3

Temporal fossa (superior) and infra temporalfossa (inferior)

Question 4

what divides the temporal and infratemporal fossae? are they separate or continuous?

Answer 4

the zygomatic arch : they are continuous

Question 5

What are the medial boundaries of the temporal fossa?

Answer 5

Medial (e.g. floor): frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones

Question 6

What is the pterion?

Answer 6

the junction of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones; middle meningeal a., anterior branch typically lies superficial to pterion

Question 7

What are the lateral boundaries of the temporal fossa?

Answer 7

Lateral (e.g. roof): temporal fascia

Question 8

What are the anterior boundaries of the temporal fossa?

Answer 8

Anterior: posterior surface of frontal process of zygomatic & posterior surface of the zygomatic process of frontal

Question 9

What are the superior boundaries of the temporal fossa?

Answer 9

Superior: superior and inferior temporal lines

Question 10

What are the inferior boundaries of the temporal fossa?

Answer 10

Inferior: zygomatic arch (laterally) & infratemporal crest of greater wing of sphenoid (medially)

Question 11

What is contained within the temporal fossa?

Answer 11

Temporalis m. - Deep temporal aa. & nn. - Superficial temporal a. - Zygomaticotemporal n.

Question 12

What are the communications of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 12

Temporal fossa (superiorly)
Pterygopalatine fossa (medially) through the pterygomaxillary fissure
Orbit (anteriorly) through inferior orbital fissue
Middle cranial fossa through foramen ovale and spinosum

Question 13

What are the boundaries of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 13

Lateral: Ramus of mandible
Medial: Lateral pterygoid plate of sphenoid
Anterior: Posterior surface of maxilla
Posterior: Mastoid & styloid processes of temporal bone and carotid sheath
Inferior: Medial pterygoid m. at attachment site (angle of mandible)
Superior (roof): Greater wing of sphenoid

Question 14

What is contained within the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 14

Muscles:
Distal end of temporalis m.
Pterygoid mm.
Maxillary a.
Pterygoid venous plexus
Nervous tissue:
Otic ganglion
Mandibular n. (V3) & branches
Chorda tympani

Question 15

How are the masseter and medial pterygoid m. associated?

Answer 15

as a “masticatory sling”

Question 16

What are the general areas that are supplied by the maxillary a.?

Answer 16

the upper maxilla and lower mandible, deep facial areas, the middle ear, cerebral dura mater, and the nasal cavity. (hard and soft tissue in maxillofacial region)

Question 17

What are the parts of the maxillary a.?

Answer 17

mandibular part (1st part), pterygoid part (2nd part), and pterygopalatine part (3rd part)

Question 18

Where is the mandibular part of the maxillary a. found?

Answer 18

deep to the neck of the mandible, posterior to the lateral pterygoid m.

Question 19

Where is the pterygoid part of the maxillary a. found?

Answer 19

Travels lateral to the lateral pterygoid, boundaries are the superior and inferior head of the lateral pterygoid

Question 20

Where is the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary a. found?

Answer 20

it enters the pterygopalatine fossa and is “post-pterygoid”, anteromedial to the lateral pterygoid

Question 21

What are the motor branches of the main trunk of V3?

Answer 21

medial pterygoid br., tensor tympani br., tensor veli palatini br.

Question 22

What are the afferent branches of the main trunk of V3?

Answer 22

meningeal br.

Question 23

What are the motor branches of the anterior division of V3?

Answer 23

deep temporal n. (anterior and posterior br.), lateral pterygoid n., masseteric n.

Question 24

What are the afferent branches of the anterior division of V3?

Answer 24

long buccal n.

Question 25

What are the afferent and efferent branches of the posterior division of V3?

Answer 25

Auriculotemporal n. (afferent), lingual n. (afferent), IAN (both) - IAN gives off mylohyoid n. (motor)

Question 26

Where does the pterygoid plexus of veins return blood from?

Answer 26

the infratemporal fossa and communicating areas

Question 27

What does the pterygoid plexus communicate with?

Answer 27

the cavernous sinus, facial v., and pharyngeal plexus.

Question 28

What regions do the medial and lateral pterygoid plate relate to functionally?

Answer 28

medial - pharyngeal region : lateral - infratemporal fossa

Question 29

What function does the lateral wall of the lateral pterygoid plate serve?

Answer 29

it is an attachment for the lateral pterygoid m., and forms the medial wall of the infratemporal fossa.

Question 30

What function does the medial wall of the lateral pterygoid plate serve?

Answer 30

it is an attachment for the medial pterygoid m., and forms part of the pterygoid fossa.

Question 31

What is the process at the anterior portion of the medial - lateral pterygoid plate? Where does it extend?

Answer 31

the pterygoid hamulus : inferolaterally

Question 32

What structures share an attachment site at the medial - lateral pterygoid plate?

Answer 32

pterygomaxillary raphe, pharyngobasilar fascia, and superior pharyngeal constrictor m, and the medial pterygoid m.

Question 33

What structures relate to the pterygoid hamulus?

Answer 33

The tendon of the tensor veli palatini m. glides around the hamulus, and it serves as the superior attachment of the pterygomandibular raphe.