Infratemporal & Pterygopalatine Fossae

6 May 2008

Infratemporal Fossa

Pterygopalatine fossa

Relationships of Spaces

· Infratemporal fossa

– Inferior to infra temporal crest

– Lateral to lateral pterygoid plate

– Occupied by pterygoid muscles

· Pterygomaxillary fissure

– Between pterygoid plate and maxilla

· Pterygopalatine fossa

– Anterior to pterygoid plates, posterior to palatine

Moore & Dalley, 2006; Figure 7.40

Important Structures Associated with the Pterygopalatine Fossa

· Maxillary artery

· Infraorbital n., a. & v.

· Pterygopalatine ganglion

· Maxillary n.

· N. of Pterygoid canal

· Posterior sup. nasal n. & Sphenopalatine a.

· Greater & Lesser Palatine nn. & vessels

Netter, 2003 pls. 36, 39, 41; Netter, 2006 pls. 40, 43, 45

Moore & Dalley, 2006; Table 9.4 (p. 1138)

Muscles of Mastication

Pterygoid muscles

· Lateral Pterygoid m.

– Infratemporal crest & lateral pterygoid plate to neck of mandible at TMJ

· Medial Pterygoid m.

– Medial surface of lateral pterygoid plate and tuberosity of maxilla to medial surface of mandibular ramus

Temporalis & Masseter

· Temporalis

– Side of skull (temporal & parietal)

– Coranoid process of mandible

– Deep temporal nerves (V3)

– Elevates and retracts mandible

· Masseter

– Zygomatic arch

– Ramus of mandible

– Masseteric nerve (V3)

– Elevates, protrudes and retracts mandible

Netter, 2003 pls. 50, 51; Netter 2006 pls. 54, 55

Temporomandibular Joint

Articular disc

When jaw opens slightly the joint moves as a simple hinge.

When jaw opens widely, mandibular condyle and articular disc glide forward.

This presents danger of jaw dislocation if condyle slips anterior to articular tubercle.

Netter, 2003 pl. 14; Netter, 2006 pl. 16

see Moore & Dalley 2006, Figs. 7.43, B7.23; Table 7.11

Infratemporal Fossa Dissection

· Lateral Pterygoid m.

· Medial Pterygoid m.

· Maxillary a.

– Deep temporal aa.

– Posterior superior

– alveolar a.

– Bucual a & n

– Inferior alveolar a & n

Deep dissection

· Maxillary a.

– Middle meningeal a.

· Maxillary n.

– Infraorbital n

· Mandibular n.

– Inferior alveolar n

– Lingual n.

– Buccal n.

Moore & Dalley 2006, Fig. 7.41, 7.42

Netter, 2003 pl. 67; Netter, 2006 pl. 69