Oral Anatomy, TMJ and Infra-temporal Fossa

Question 1

Describe and identify the anatomical contents of the vestibule and oral cavity proper

Answer 1

Lips
Teeth, gingivae
Tongue
Oral mucosa
Tonsils
Anterior arch (palatoglossus muscle)
Posterior arch (palatopharyngeus muscle)
Hard and soft palate

Question 2

Describe the location and lymphatic tissue forming Waldeyer’s Ring

Answer 2

Adenoid, lingual

Tubual, palatine (paired)

Question 3

Describe the movements that occur at the TMJ and which muscles are responsible for these movements

Answer 3

Superior cavity - translation
Inferior cavity - rotation
Up - lateral pterygoids
Down - digastric
Retraction - temporalis
Elevation - temporalis, masseter, medial pterygoids)

Question 4

Identify and describe the anatomical boundaries and relations of the infra-temporal fossa

Answer 4

Lateral - ramus of mandible
Medial - lateral pterygoid, plate of sphenoid
Anterior - posterior surface of maxilla
Posterior - carotid sheath
Floor - medial pterygoid muscle
Rood - greater wing of sphenoid bone
Located below middle cranial fossa, medial and deep to zygomatic arch

Question 5

How does the pterygoid venous plexus provide a route of communication with structures intracranially

Answer 5

Drains eye, passes through fossa –> cavernous sinus