Temporal and Infratemporal Regions

Temporal and Infratemporal Regions

Temporal and Infratemporal Regions

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Temporal Fossa - Temple Territory

  • Boundaries:
    • Superior & Posterior: Superior temporal line.
    • Anterior: Frontal & zygomatic bones.
    • Lateral: Zygomatic arch.
    • Inferior: Infratemporal crest (greater wing of sphenoid).
    • Floor: Pterion (junction of Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Sphenoid bones 📌FPTS).
    • Roof: Temporal fascia (superficial layer). Temporal and Infratemporal Regions Bones
  • Contents:
    • Temporalis muscle.
    • Temporal fascia (deep layer, investing temporalis m.).
    • Deep temporal nerves (anterior & posterior branches of mandibular nerve V3).
    • Deep temporal arteries (anterior & posterior; from maxillary artery) & accompanying veins.

⭐ Pterion: key floor landmark; overlies middle meningeal artery. Fracture risks epidural hematoma.

Infratemporal Fossa - Deep Skull Base

  • Irregular space inferior & deep to zygomatic arch.
  • Boundaries:
    • Lateral: Mandibular ramus.
    • Medial: Lat. pterygoid plate.
    • Anterior: Post. maxilla.
    • Posterior: Tympanic plate, styloid/mastoid.
    • Roof: Sphenoid greater wing, squamous temporal.
    • Floor: Open to neck.
  • Communications & Key Foramina:
    • Foramen Ovale: V3, Acc. meningeal a., Lesser petrosal n., Emissary v. (📌 OVALE)
    • Foramen Spinosum: Middle meningeal a./v., nervus spinosus.
    • Pterygomaxillary Fissure: To pterygopalatine fossa.
  • Contents Overview:
    • Muscles: Medial/Lateral pterygoids, temporalis (inf. part).
    • Nerves: V3 branches, chorda tympani, otic ganglion.
    • Vessels: Maxillary artery (1st/2nd parts), pterygoid venous plexus.

⭐ Foramen Ovale transmits: Mandibular Nerve (V3), Accessory meningeal artery, Lesser petrosal nerve, Emissary vein.

Muscles & Mandibular Nerve - Chew & Feel Central

Muscles of Mastication: All innervated by Mandibular Nerve (CN V3).

MuscleOIA
MasseterZygomatic archMandibular ramusElevate, protract
TemporalisTemporal fossaCoronoid proc.Elevate, retract
Medial PterygoidMed. pterygoid plateMed. mandibular ramusElevate, protract, side-to-side
Lateral PterygoidLat. pterygoid plateMandibular neck, TMJ discProtract, depress, side-to-side

Mandibular Nerve (CN V3): Mixed; exits Foramen Ovale.

  • 📌 Mnemonic (Branches): "Bad Apples Look Incredibly Mouthwatering" (Buccal, Auriculotemporal, Lingual, Inferior Alveolar, Motor branches).
  • From Trunk: N. to medial pterygoid, Meningeal br.
  • Anterior Div (motor focus): Nerves to masseter, temporalis, lat. pterygoid; Buccal n. (sensory).
  • **Posterior Div (sensory focus):
    • Auriculotemporal n. (sensory; parotid secretomotor via otic ganglion).
    • Lingual n. (sensory ant. 2/3 tongue; +chorda tympani CN VII).
    • Inferior alveolar n. (sensory lower teeth; N. to mylohyoid motor; Mental n. terminal).

Otic Ganglion:

  • Location: Infratemporal fossa, medial to V3, inferior to foramen ovale.
  • Function: Parasympathetic; relays lesser petrosal n. (CN IX) fibers to parotid gland via auriculotemporal n. (secretomotor).

⭐ Lateral pterygoid is the only muscle of mastication that primarily opens (depresses) the jaw.

Maxillary Artery & TMJ - Blood, Bites, Breaks

  • Maxillary Artery: From ECA.
    • 1st (Mandibular): Middle Meningeal A. (→ foramen spinosum), Inferior Alveolar A.
    • 2nd (Pterygoid): Muscular branches (to masticatory muscles).
    • 3rd (Pterygopalatine): Sphenopalatine A. (terminal), Infraorbital A., Post. Sup. Alveolar A.
![Maxillary artery branches in temporal/infratemporal regions](https://ylbwdadhbcjolwylidja.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/notes/L1/Anatomy_Head_Temporal_and_Infratemporal_Regions/d6c076ad-212a-4e69-9235-fdf9303ad698.jpg)
> ⭐ The Middle Meningeal Artery, branch of 1st part maxillary artery, enters via foramen spinosum. Rupture (e.g. pterion fracture) causes extradural hematoma.
  • Pterygoid Venous Plexus:

    • Location: Around lateral pterygoid muscle.
    • Drains: To maxillary vein.
    • Connects: Cavernous sinus, facial vein.
    • Clinical: Infection spread to cavernous sinus.
  • Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ):

    • Type: Synovial (condylar & hinge).
    • Articular Surfaces: Mandibular condyle, temporal bone's articular fossa & tubercle.
    • Articular Disc: Divides joint; upper (gliding), lower (hinge).
    • Ligaments: Lateral, Sphenomandibular, Stylomandibular.
    • Movements & Muscles:
      MovementPrimary Muscles
      ElevationMasseter, Temporalis, Medial pterygoid
      DepressionLateral pterygoid, Suprahyoids
      ProtrusionLateral pterygoid, Medial pterygoid
      RetrusionTemporalis (post.), Masseter (deep)
      LateralContra Pterygoids, Ipsi Temporalis
  • Key Clinicals:

    • TMJ Dislocation: Anteriorly; mandible open.
    • Frey's Syndrome: Gustatory sweating (auriculotemporal n. injury).
    • Trismus: Limited mouth opening (pterygoid spasm).

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Muscles of mastication: Innervated by Mandibular N. (V3). Lateral pterygoid opens jaw.
  • Mandibular N. (V3): Exits foramen ovale. Middle Meningeal A. (maxillary branch) through foramen spinosum.
  • Otic Ganglion: Medial to V3; relays CN IX parasympathetics to parotid via auriculotemporal N.
  • Chorda Tympani (CN VII): Joins Lingual N. (V3); taste (ant. 2/3 tongue) & secretomotor.
  • Inferior Alveolar N.: V3 branch, supplies lower teeth, enters mandibular foramen.
  • Pterygoid Venous Plexus: Risk for infection spread to cavernous sinus_

Practice Questions: Temporal and Infratemporal Regions

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Which of the following is NOT a branch of 1st part of maxillary artery?

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Flashcards: Temporal and Infratemporal Regions

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Branches of Mandibular nerve:N. to medial pterygoid supplies which 3 muscles?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Branches of Mandibular nerve:N. to medial pterygoid supplies which 3 muscles?_____

Medial Pterygoid,Tensor Tympani, Tensor Veli Palatini muscles

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