Infratemporal fossa

The infratemporal fossa is a small wedge-shaped space located beneath the temporal fossa and zygomatic arch.

Here are the boundaries of the infratemporal fossa:

• On the lateral side, the fossa is delimited by the ramus of the mandible.

• The medial wall is made up of several structures, including the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone, along with two palatine muscles: the tensor veli palatini and levator veli palatini muscles. Behind them, the medial wall consists of the muscular wall of the pharynx.

• At the front, the infratemporal fossa is enclosed by the posterior aspect of the maxilla.

• Towards the back, the infratemporal fossa is marked by the styloid process, from where it opens into the neck region.

• The roof of the infratemporal fossa is formed by the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. This area contains important foramina such as the foramen ovale and foramen spinosum. Through these openings, the mandibular nerve and the middle meningeal artery pass.

• The floor of the infratemporal fossa is where the medial pterygoid muscle attaches near the angle of the mandible.

The infratemporal fossa has extensive connections with neighboring areas in the head and neck region:

• On the lateral side, it opens upward into the temporal fossa.

• Towards the back and bottom, it opens into the neck region.

• The pterygomaxillary fissure, located at the junction of the maxilla and lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone, acts as a link between the infratemporal fossa and the pterygopalatine fossa.

• Additionally, on the upper edge of the anterior wall, there is a fissure called the inferior orbital fissure. Through this fissure, the infratemporal fossa connects with the orbital cavity.

Several structures can be found within the infratemporal fossa. These include:

• The medial and lateral pterygoid muscles.

• The mandibular nerve and its branches: lingual nerve, inferior alveolar nerve, auriculotemporal nerve, and otic ganglion.

• The chorda tympani, a branch of the facial nerve, which connects the facial nerve with the lingual nerve.

• The lesser petrosal nerve, a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve, which arises from the tympanic plexus in the middle ear and enters the infratemporal fossa from its roof. It joins the auriculotemporal nerve in the infratemporal fossa.

• The maxillary artery and its branches.

• The pterygoid plexus of veins