Infratemporal fossa

Infratemporal fossa: Anatomy & ContentsKey facts about the anatomy of the infratemporal fossa.
~ 3 min

On the inferolateral surface of the cranium, we can distinguish the infratemporal fossa (fossa infratemporalis).

Infratemporal fossa (fossa infratemporalis)
Infratemporal fossa (fossa infratemporalis)

From above, it is separated from the temporal fossa by the infratemporal crest (crista infratemporalis) of the greater wing of the sphenoidal bone.

Infratemporal crest (crista infratemporalis)
Infratemporal crest (crista infratemporalis)

The medial wall of the fossa is formed by the lateral plate (lamina lateralis) of the pterygoid process of the sphenoidal bone.

Lateral plate (lamina lateralis)
Lateral plate (lamina lateralis)

The anterior wall of the fossa is formed by the maxillary tuberosity (tuber maxillae) and the zygomatic bone (os zygomaticum).

Maxillary tuberosity (tuber maxillae)
Maxillary tuberosity (tuber maxillae)
Zygomatic bone (os zygomaticum)
Zygomatic bone (os zygomaticum)

From below, the infratemporal fossa is slightly covered by the ramus of the mandible (ramus mandibulae) and the zygomatic arch (arcus zygomaticus).

Ramus of the mandible (ramus mandibulae)
Ramus of the mandible (ramus mandibulae)
Zygomatic arch (arcus zygomaticus)
Zygomatic arch (arcus zygomaticus)

Through the inferior orbital fissure (fissura orbitalis inferior), the infratemporal fossa is connected with the orbit.

Inferior orbital fissure (fissura orbitalis inferior)
Inferior orbital fissure (fissura orbitalis inferior)

Through the pterygomaxillary fissure (fissura pterygomaxillaris), it is connected to the pterygopalatine fossa.

Pterygomaxillary fissure (fissura pterygomaxillaris)
Pterygomaxillary fissure (fissura pterygomaxillaris)

The infratemporal fossa contains the medial and lateral pterygoids, the maxillary artery, the superior posterior alveolar arteries, the mandibular vein, the pterygoid plexus, the mandibular nerve, and the branches of the superior posterior alveolar nerves.

Dictionary

Infratemporal fossa

infratemporal fossa
fossa infratemporalis
infratemporal crest
crista infratemporalis
lateral plate
lamina lateralis
maxillary tuberosity
tuber maxillae
zygomatic bone
os zygomaticum
ramus of mandible
ramus mandibulae
zygomatic arch
arcus zygomaticus
inferior orbital fissure
fissura orbitalis inferior
pterygomaxillary fissure
fissura pterygomaxillaris
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