INFRATEMPORAL FOSSA
The infratemporal fossa is the space beneath the base of the skull, between the side wall of the pharynx and ramus of the mandible. It is also referred to as the parapharyngeal space or lateral pharyngeal space.
BOUNDARIES:-
Roof:
- Formed by the infratemporal surface of the greater wing of the sphenoid.
- It is pierced by foramen spinosum and foramen ovale.
Floor:
- Open and extends up to the level of the base of the mandible.
Medial wall:
- Formed by lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid.
- It is separated from the anterior wall by pterygomaxillary fissure.
- pyramidal process of palatine bone.
Lateral wall:
- Formed by the ramus of the mandible.
Anterior wall:
- Formed by the infratemporal surface of the maxilla.
- It is separated from roof by inferior orbital fissure.
Posterior wall:
- Formed by styloid process of the temporal bone.
COMMUNICATIONS:-
1. Above with temporal fossa through a gap, deep to zygomatic arch; and middle cranical fossa through foramen ovale and foramen spinosum.
2. Below it is continuous with the tissues spaces of the neck lateral to the pharynx.
3. With the pterygopalatine fossa through pterygomaxillary fissure.
4. With the orbit through inferior orbital fissure.
CONTENTS:-
1. MUSCLES:-
- Medial pterygoid
- Lateral pterygoid
- Tendon of temporalis
2. BLOOD VESSELS:-
- Maxillary artery
- Maxillary vein
- Pterygoid venous plexus
3. NERVE STRUCTURES:-
- Mandibular nerve
- Otic ganglion
- Chorda tympani nerve
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