The Infratemporal Fossa

Question 1

What is the infratemporal fossa

Answer 1

An irregularly shaped cavity of anatomical & clinical importance

Its importance derives from the importance of structures within it

It is a site from which clinical procedures can be carried out

Question 2

Where is the infratemporal fossa found?

Answer 2

It lies:

• Below the middle cranial fossa
• Medial and deep to the zygomatic arch
• Behind the maxilla

It communicates with the temporal fossa through the interval between the zygomatic arch and cranial bones

Question 3

What are the boundaries of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 3

Anterior border
- Infratemporal surface of maxilla and descending ridge
of its zygomatic process

Posterior border
- Articular tubercle of the temporal bone and spina
angularis of the sphenoid

Superior border
- Infratemporal surface of the greater wing of sphenoid

Inferior border
- Alveolar border of the maxilla(no border in some books)

Medial border
- Lateral pterygoid plate

Question 4

What are the general contents of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 4

Muscles
Nerves
Arteries
Veins
Foramina
Canals
Fissures

Question 5

What are the muscular contents of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 5

Lower part of the medial pterygoid muscle

Lower part of the lateral pterygoid muscle

Lower part of the temporalis muscle

Question 6

What is the clinical importance of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 6

Pathologies within this region can evolve without detection up until it is too late.

It is a potential space where tumours can grow for a long time without detection

Question 7

What arteries are found within the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 7

The main artery is the maxillary artery(deep)

Middle meningeal (anterior branch is significant) (deep)

Superficial temporal artery (superficial)

Question 8

What nerves are found within the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 8

The mandibular nerve
And most of its branches:
- Auriculotemporal nerve
- Inferior alveolar nerve
- Lingual nerve
- Buccal nerve
- Chorda tympani

And the otic ganglion

Question 9

What are the veins of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 9

Maxillary vein

Middle meningeal veins

Pterygoid venous plexus

Question 10

What are the opening of the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 10

Foramen ovale (Mandibular division of 5th nerve)

Foramen spinosum (Middle meningeal artery)

Alveolar canal

Inferior orbital fissure

Pterygomaxillary fissure