What artery is in the infratemporal fossa?
the maxillary artery
Prominent arteries present in the infratemporal fossa include the maxillary artery and associated branches, including the middle meningeal artery and accessory meningeal artery. The maxillary artery is the seventh branch of the external carotid artery.
What structures are in infratemporal fossa?
The infratemporal fossa contains the mandibular nerve, the inferior alveolar nerve, the lingual nerve, the buccal nerve, the chorda tympani nerve, and the otic ganglion.
What are the 3 parts of maxillary artery?
On its course, the maxillary artery provides a number of branches that supply many structures within the head and face. In relation to the lateral pterygoid muscle, the artery can be divided into three distinct segments (mandibular, pterygoid, pterygopalatine parts).
Where is infratemporal fossa located?
The infratemporal fossa is a complex space of the face that lies posterolateral to the maxillary sinus, below the skull base, and between the pharyngeal sidewall and mandibular ramus.
What is the communication of infratemporal fossa?
Gross anatomy The fossa communicates with the temporal fossa via the space deep to the zygomatic arch, with the pterygopalatine fossa via the pterygomaxillary fissure, with the middle cranial fossa via the foraminae ovale and spinosum and with the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure.
What muscles are in the infratemporal fossa?
The muscles of the infratemporal fossa include the inferior portion of the temporalis muscle, the medial pterygoid and lateral pterygoid muscles. Lying either superficial or deep to the lateral pterygoid muscle, there’s the pterygoid venous plexus and the maxillary artery.
What forms the floor of the infratemporal fossa?
The lateral pterygoid forms the foundation whereupon all other contents of the fossa are related. The branches of the mandibular nerve and the attachments of the medial pterygoid lie deep to the lateral pterygoid while the maxillary artery lies superficial to it.
How do you remember maxillary arteries?
A mnemonic for remembering the branches of the maxillary artery is: DAM I AM Piss Drunk But Stupid Drunk I Prefer, Must Phone Alcoholics Anonymous.
What is the function of infratemporal fossa?
The fossa contains a number of structures, mainly neurovascular structures and muscles of mastication. The main function of the infratemporal fossa is to serve as the passageway for numerous neurovascular structures and to protect them from external factors.
What is infratemporal region?
The infratemporal fossa is a complex space of the face that lies posterolateral to the maxillary sinus, below the skull base, and between the pharyngeal sidewall and mandibular ramus. It overlaps with the masticator space and prestyloid parapharyngeal space.
What nerve passes the infratemporal fossa?
the Mandibular Nerve
Buccal Nerve From the Mandibular Nerve The mandibular nerve enters the infratemporal fossa and passes through the foramen ovale in the sphenoid bone, and divides at that point into a smaller anterior and a larger posterior trunk.