OS- spread of infection Flashcards
What does the spread of infection depend on?
Path of least resistance
Location of the perforation of infection compared to the muscles
We have an infected maxillary.
The infection breaks through above the insertion of the buccinator.
What anterior areas will it spread to?
Into buccal space.
Or patatally- less likely as the palatal bone is more dense so a more resistant path- This is also more painful.

We have an infected maxillary tooth. The infection spreads below the insertion of the buccinator. What anterior areas will it spread to?
It drains into the mouth via a draining sinus (there is a bad taste in the patient’s mouth)
We have an infected mandibular tooth.
The infection perforates above the mylohyoid. What anterior areas will it spread to?
It spreads into the sublingual space producing a sublingual abscess.

We have an infected mandibular tooth.
The infection perforates below the mylohyoid.
What anterior areas will it spread to?
It spreads into the submandibular space producing a submandibular abscess.

Why is buccal spread of infection from a lower tooth less common than lingual spread?
Because the bone is thicker on the buccal- meaning there is a greater resistance to movement buccally.
Identify and name the posterior spaces that the infection can spread to in the face?
What happens if infection spreads to these areas?

We get spasms of the muscles causing severe trismus.

how does a facial infection spread back from the posterior spaces?
It spreads to:
- Lateral pharyngeal space (important blood vessels are located here)
- Retropharyngeal space
- Prevertebral space.
Identify these spaces


Why are we worried about the spread of infection to the:
Lateral pharyngeal space, the prevertebral space and the retropharyngeal space?
These travel vertically so the infection can spread to the skull (putting pressure on the brain) or to the inferior sinus (putting pressure on the heart)
What is the risk of the spread of infection to the infratemporal space?
The pterygoid venus plexus is located here so infection can spread to the cavernous sinus of the brain causing cavernous sinus thrombosis.

An upper anterior tooth is infected. Typically, where will the infection spread?
Lips
Lower eyelid
Nasolabial region.
Where could an upper lateral incisior also spread and why?
Palatally because the apex of the tooth is more palatally placed.
An Upper premolar is infected, typically where would the infection spread?
Cheek
Infratemporal region
Palate
Maxillary antrum (rare)
An upper molar is infected.
Typically, where would the infection spread?
Cheek
Infratemporal region
Maxillary antrum (rare)
Palate.
Name the abscess pictured.

Palatal abscess
Name the abscess pictured?

Labial/ intraoral abscess
Name the abscess pictured

Buccal abscess
There is infection in a lower anterior tooth. Where will this infection spread?
Mental and submental space.
There is an infection in the lower premolar tooth. Where will this infection spread?
Buccal space
Submasseteric space
sublingual space
Submandibular space
Lateral pharyngeal space.
There is an infection in the lower molar. Where will this infection spread?
Buccal space.
submandibular space
Submasseteric space
lateral pharyngeal space.
Sublingual space
Name the abscess shown.

submental swellling.
Identify the type of abscess

Submandibular
Identify the type of swelling.

Buccal and submandibular


