Temporal and Infratemporal Fossae

Temporal and Infratemporal Fossae

A) Infratemporal fossa

• Contains the lower portion of the temporalis muscle, the lateral and medial pterygoid muscles, the pterygoid plexus of veins, the mandibular nerve and its branches, the maxillary artery and its branches, the chorda tympani, and the otic ganglion.

Has the following boundaries:

• Anterior : posterior surface of the maxilla.
• Posterior : styloid process.
• Medial : lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone.
• Lateral : ramus and coronoid process of the mandible.
• Roof : greater wing of the sphenoid and infratemporal crest.

B) Temporal fossa

• Contains the temporalis muscle, the deep temporal nerves and vessels, the auriculotemporal nerve, and the superficial temporal vessels.

Has the following boundaries:

• Anterior : zygomatic process of the frontal bone and the frontal process of the zygomatic bone.
• Posterior : temporal line.
• Superior : temporal line.
• Lateral : zygomatic arch.
• Inferior : infratemporal crest.
• Floor : parts of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and greater wing of the sphenoid bone.

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