Temporal and Infratemporal Region

Question 1

What is the superior and posterior border of the temporal fossa?

Answer 1

Superior and inferior temporal lines

Question 2

What is the anterior border of the temporal fossa?

Answer 2

Frontal process of zygomatic bone and zygomatic process of frontal bone

Question 3

What is the inferior border of the temporal fossa?

Answer 3

Infratemporal crest deep to the zygomatic arch

Question 4

What forms the floor of the temporal fossa?

Answer 4

Frontal, parietal, temporal and greater wing of sphenoid bones
Includes the pterion

Question 5

Describe the temporal fascia

Answer 5

Forms roof of temporal fossa
Attaches to superior temporal line superiorly
Inferiorly splits into 2 layers which attach to the lateral and medial surfaces of the zygomatic arch
Provides resistance to the masseter

Question 6

What is the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 6

A space that contains various muscles and neurovascular structures which communicate with the temporal fossa through the interval deep to the zygomatic arch and superficial to the cranial bones

Question 7

What are the lateral and medial borders of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 7

Laterally - ramus of the mandible
Medially - Lateral pterygoid plate of sphenoid bone

Question 8

What are the anterior and posterior borders of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 8

Anteriorly - posterior aspect of maxilla
Posteriorly - tympanic plate, mastoid and styloid processes

Question 9

What are the superior and inferior borders of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 9

Superiorly - infratemporal crest of sphenoid bone
Inferiorly - angle of the mandible

Question 10

What muscles are found in the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 10

Inferior part of the temporalis
Lateral pterygoid
Medial pterygoid

Question 11

What blood vessels are found in the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 11

Maxillary artery
Pterygoid venous plexus

Question 12

What nerves are found in the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 12

Mandibular
Inferior alveolar
Lingual
Buccal
Chorda tympani nerves
Otic ganglion

Question 13

Where does the mandibular nerve arise and exit the skull?

Answer 13

Arises from trigeminal ganglion in middle cranial fossa
Exits skull and enters infratemporal fossa through foramen ovale

Question 14

What are the branches of the mandibular nerve?

Answer 14

Posterior:
Auriculotemporal nerve
Inferior alveolar nerve
Lingual nerve
Anterior:
Buccal nerve

Question 15

Describe the auriculotemporal nerve

Answer 15

Encircles the middle meningeal artery
Many branches, largest supplies sensory fibres to auricle and temporal region
Sends sensory fibres to TMJ
Passes postsynaptic parasympathetic fibres from otic ganglion to parotid gland

Question 16

Describe the inferior alveolar nerve

Answer 16

Enters mandibular foramen and passes through mandibular canal forming the inferior dental plexus which supplies the mandibular teeth

Question 17

Describe the mental nerve

Answer 17

Branch of the dental plexus
Passes through mental foramen inferior to lower premolars to supply skin of lower lip and chin, and gingiva of mandibular incisors

Question 18

Describe the lingual nerve

Answer 18

Anterior to inferior alveolar nerve
Sensory innervation to anterior 2/3 of tongue, floor of mouth and lingual gingivae
Passes medial and inferior to lower 3rd molars
Joined by chorda tympani nerve within infratemporal fossa

Question 19

What are the 3 parts of the maxillary artery?

Answer 19

1st - mandibular
2nd - pterygoid
3rd - pterygopalatine

Question 20

Describe the mandibular part of the maxillary artery

Answer 20

Runs anteriorly, deep to the neck of the mandible, then passes deeply between the lateral and medial pterygoids

Question 21

Describe the pterygoid part of the maxillary artery

Answer 21

Runs adjacent (superficial or deep) to the lateral pterygoid and ascends obliquely anterosuperiorly medial to the temporalis

Question 22

Describe the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery

Answer 22

Runs distally, anteromedially to the lateral pterygoid and passes between its heads and through the pterygomaxillary fissure and into the pterygopalatine fossa

Question 23

Describe the middle meningeal artery

Answer 23

Branch of 1st part of maxillary artery
Supplies dura mater and passes through foramen spinosum to enter the middle cranial fossa

Question 24

Describe the inferior alveolar artery

Answer 24

Branch of 1st part of maxillary artery
Enters mandibular foramen with IAN to supply teeth of lower jaw via dental branches

Question 25

Describe the anterior and posterior deep temporal arteries

Answer 25

Branches of 2nd part of maxillary artery
Ascend between temporalis and bone of temporal fossa, supplying mainly muscle

Question 26

Describe the masseteric artery

Answer 26

Branch of 2nd part of maxillary artery
Passes through mandibular notch to supply the masseter and TMJ

Question 27

Describe the buccal artery

Answer 27

Branch of 2nd part of maxillary artery
Passes anteriorly onto buccinator to supply the cheek including the buccinator and buccal oral mucosa

Question 28

Describe the superior alveolar arteries

Answer 28

Branches of 3rd part of maxillary artery
Supply maxillary teeth and adjacent mucosa and gingivae

Question 29

What is responsible for venous drainage of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 29

The pterygoid venous plexus