What are the boundaries of the infratemporal fossa?

The boundaries of the infratemporal fossa occur: anteriorly, by the infratemporal surface of the maxilla, and the ridge which descends from its zygomatic process. This contains the alveolar canal. posteriorly, by the tympanic part of the temporal bone, and the spina angularis of the sphenoid.

What is the posterior boundary of the infratemporal fossa?

Although controversy exists about the exact boundaries of the infratemporal fossa, we define it as the area bounded anteriorly by the posterolateral aspect of the maxilla and the inferior orbital fissure (Fig. 1). The posterior boundary is formed by the tympanic and mastoid portions of the temporal bone.

What divides the temporal and infratemporal fossa?

Bony framework Bones that contribute significantly to the boundaries of the temporal and infratemporal fossae include the temporal, zygomatic, and sphenoid bones, and the maxilla and mandible.

Where is the infratemporal fossa located?

The infratemporal fossa is an irregular space at the lateral aspect of the skull. As its name suggests, it is situated just inferior to the temporal fossa and deep to the ramus of the mandible. The temporal and infratemporal fossae communicate with each other through the opening deep to the zygomatic arch.

What connects the infratemporal fossa and the orbit?

The pterygomaxillary fissure is located between the anterior and posterior wall of the pterygopalatine fossa. It communicates with the infratemporal fossa and transmits the posterior superior alveolar nerve and the maxillary artery.

What is the significance of the infratemporal fossa?

Nerves coursing through and around the infratemporal fossa are responsible for providing a vast majority of sensory and motor function to the lower face and other important structures such as the dura mater.

What ganglion is located in the infratemporal fossa?

The otic ganglion is a small parasympathetic ganglion located immediately below the foramen ovale in the infratemporal fossa and on the medial surface of the mandibular nerve. It is functionally associated with the glossopharyngeal nerve and innervates the parotid gland for salivation.

Why is the infratemporal fossa important?

What connects the infratemporal fossa to the pterygopalatine fossa?

It is the indented area medial to the pterygomaxillary fissure leading into the sphenopalatine foramen. It communicates with the nasal and oral cavities, infratemporal fossa, orbit, pharynx, and middle cranial fossa through eight foramina….

Pterygopalatine fossa
FMA 75309
Anatomical terms of bone

What is infratemporal approach?

The infratemporal fossa approach (ITFA) is one of the several approaches to the skull base, including maxillary swing, midfacial degloving, facial translocation, endonasal transsphenoidal, subfrontal interhemispheric, orbitozygomatic, pterional, subtemporal, middle cranial fossa, translabyrinthine, transcochlear.

Is the pterygopalatine fossa in the infratemporal fossa?

The pterygopalatine fossa is an inverted pyramidal-shaped, fat-filled space located on the lateral side of the skull, between the infratemporal fossa and the nasopharynx.

What 2 foramina are present in the infratemporal fossa?

The infratemporal fossa is located lateral to the pterygopalatine fossa and houses the internal carotid artery, the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (V3), the internal maxillary artery, and the jugular foramen posteriorly.

The boundaries of the infratemporal fossa occur: anteriorly, by the infratemporal surface of the maxilla and the ridge which descends from its zygomatic process. This contains the alveolar canal. posteriorly, by the articular tubercle of the temporal and the spina angularis of the sphenoid.

What nerve passes through the infratemporal fossa?

The infratemporal fossa forms an important passage for a number of nerves originating in the cranial cavity (figure 1.2): Mandibular nerve – a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It enters the fossa via the foramen ovale, giving rise to motor and sensory branches.

What is microanatomy and surgical approaches to the infratemporal fossa?

Microanatomy and surgical approaches to the infratemporal fossa: an anaglyphic three-dimensional stereoscopic printing study. [Skull Base. 2007]

What arteries are in the infratemporal fossa?

Internal maxillary branches found within the infratemporal fossa including the. middle meningeal artery. inferior alveolar artery. deep temporal artery. buccal artery.