On the inferolateral surface of the cranium, we can distinguish the 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.

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

The anterior wall of the fossa is formed by the maxillary tuberosity (tuber maxillae) and the zygomatic bone (os zygomaticum).
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From below, the infratemporal fossa is slightly covered by the ramus of the mandible (ramus mandibulae) and the zygomatic arch (arcus zygomaticus).


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

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

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.
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