Infratemporal fossa (dave's notes) Flashcards
Where is the infratemporal fossa found?
The space lying beneath the base of the skull between the side wall of the pharynx and the ramus of the mandible
What is the medial boundary of the the infratemporal fossa?
Lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid plate, tensor and levator palati muscles, superior constrictor
What is the lateral boundary of the infratemporal fossa?
Ramus of the mandible and its coronoid process
What is the anterior boundary of the infratemporal fossa?
The posterior surface of the maxilla (with its small foramina)
What is found at the upper border of the anterior surface of the infratemporal fossa?
The orbital fissure
What forms the roof of the infratemporal fossa?
Medially by the infratemporal surface of the greater wing of the sphenoid, and the adjacent squamous part of the temporal bone
What forms the posterior boundary of the infratemporal fossa?
The carotid sheath
List the contents of the infratemporal fossa
Medial and lateral pterygoids Intervening fat Temporalis insertion Maxillary artery Pterygoid plexus Mandibular nerve Otic ganglion Branches of the maxillary nerve
What is the origin and insertion of the lateral petrygoid?
Two heads; upper from infrateporal surface of skull, and lower from the lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid plate.
Passes back and is inserted via a short thick tendon ??petrygoid fovea, with the upper firers massing into the TMJ
What is the nerve supply to the lateral pterygoid?
The anterior division of the mandibular nerve.
What is the origin and insertion of the medial pterygoid?
Two heads. The larger deep head comes from the medial aspect of the lateral pterygoid plate and the depths of the fossa. The smaller superficial head arises from the maxillary tuberosity to fuse with the main jungle embracing the lower edge of the lateral pterygoid.
Inserted per the angle of the mandible
What is the nerve supply to the medial pterygoid?
Via a branch of the mandibular nerve.
What is the action of the medial pterygoid?
To pull the jaw upwards, forwards and medially
What is the action of the lateral pterygoid?
The action is to draw the condyle and disc forwards?
From what artery does the maxillary artery arise?
It is a terminal division of the external carotid artery.
How does the maxillary artery enter the infratemporal fossa?
By winding around the neck of the mandible
How many divisions does the maxillary artery have? How many branches per division?
Three divisions. 5,?6,5.
Where is the first part of the maxillary artery found? What is notable about the branches of the first part of the maxillary artery?
Before the lateral pterygoid. Five branches all of which enter foramen.
List the five branches of the first part of the maxillary artery
Inferior alveolar artery Middle meningeal artery Accessory meningeal artery Deep auricular nerve ?artery Anterior tympanic artery
Describe the location of and branches of the second part of the maxillary artery
On lateral pterygoid. Five branches to pterygoid muscle, deep temporal to temporalis
Where is the third part of the maxillary artery found? What is notable about the branches of the third part?
Beyond the lateral pterygoid, has five branches, all of which enter foramen.
List the branches of the third part of the maxillary artery
Posterior superior alveolar artery Greater palatine artery Pharyngeal artery Artery of the pterygoid canal Infraorbital artery
What is the course of the inferior alveolar artery?
Passes down and forward to the mandibular foramen where it enters with the vein and nerve, supplying teeth, mandible and some skin.
What is the course of the middle meningeal vein?
Passes up to foramen spinosum to the bone of the skull
