Infratemporal Fossa Flashcards
(68 cards)
Temporal Fossa
Shallow depression on the lateral sides of the skull.

Temporal Fossa Boundaries
Anterior boundary: frontal/zygomatic bounds. Posterior and superiorly: temporal lines. Laterally: Zygomatic arch. Inferiorly: Infratemporal Crest
Floor of Temporal Fossa
frontal, parietal, temporal bones and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone (these are the 4 bones that come together to form the pterion)
Contents of Temporal Fossa
Temporalis muscle and fascia, Masseter Muscle
Temporalis Muscle
The large fan-shaped temporalis muscle takes origin from the floor of the temporal fossa and the fascia that envelops the muscle. Functions to elevate and retract the mandible.

Temporal Fascia
Fascia of the temporalis muscle forms the roof of the temporal fossa and extends from the superior temporal line to the zygomatic arch

Masseter Muscle
Masseter originates from the zygomatic arch and the zygomatic bone and inserts on the external surface of the ramus and angle of the mandible. Functions to elevate and protrude mandible. Below the zygomatic arch, the deep fascia of the masseter is continuous with the deep fascia of the temporalis.

Infratemporal Fossa
Irregular space located posterior to the maxilla and deep to the ramus of the mandible. Behind the zygomatic arch (superiorly), continues with the temporal fossa

Boundaries of Infratemporal Fossa
Lateral Wall: Ramus of the mandible. Medial Wall: lateral pterygoid plate of sphenoid bone. Superior Boundary: Infratemporal crest of sphenoid. Inferior boundary: Angle of mandible
Contents of Infratemporal Fossa
Temporalis Muscle (inferior portion). Medial Pterygoid muscle. Lateral pterygoid muscle. Maxillary artery. Pterygoid venous plexus. CNV2. Chorda Tympani. Otic Ganglion
Temporalis Muscle (Inferior Portion)
Content of Infratemporal Fossa. Runs from the floor of the temporal fossa and temporal fascia to the coronoid process and medial surface of ramus of mandible.

Medial Pterygoid Muscle
Runs from medial surface of lateral pterygoid plate to internal surface of ramus of mandible

Lateral Pterygoid Muscle
Runs from lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid plate to the TMJ and neck of condyloid process

Maxillary Artery
Larger of the two terminal branches of External Carotid. Arises posterior to the neck of the mandible. Divided into three parts by the lateral pterygoid muscle.

1st part of maxillary artery
Runs from origin to the lateral border of the lateral pterygoid muscle. 5 branches: Deep auricular, anterior tympanic, middle meningeal, accessory meningeal, inferior alveolar

Deep auricular Artery
Runs to external acoustic meatus. Branch of 1st part of maxillary artery

Anterior Tympanic Artery
Runs to tympanic membrane. Branch of 1st part of maxillary artery

Middle Meningeal Artery
Runs to the cranial meninges through foramen spinosum. Branch of 1st part of maxillary artery

Accessory Meningeal Artery
Runs to the cranial meninges through the foramen ovale. Branch of 1st part of maxillary artery

Inferior Alveolar Artery
Runs to the mandibular teeth through mandibular foramen. Branch of 1st part of maxillary artery

2nd part of maxillary artery
Portion of Maxillary that lies over the lateral pterygoid muscle. It provides: Masseteric branches, deep temporal branches, pterygoid branches, and buccal branches.

Masseteric Artery
Supply the masseter muscle. Branch of 2nd part of maxillary artery

Deep Temporal Artery
Supply the temporalis muscle. Divides into anterior and posterior branches. Branch of 2nd part of maxillary artery

Pterygoid Arteries
Supply medial and lateral pterygoid muscles. There is both a lateral and a medial pterygoid artery. Branches of 2nd part of maxillary artery





























