Temporal Fossa

Is a shallow fossa situated on the side of the head. Bounded by the temporal line superiorly and the zygomatic arch inferiorly. Contains the temporalis muscle and fascia, superficial and deep temporal vessels, auriculotemporal and deep temporal nerve. deep to zygomatic arch, the temporal and infratemporal fossae communicate

Infratemporal Fossa

Is a deep fossa situated on the side of the head beneath the base of the skull, between the pharynx and ramus of the mandible. Boundaries: Anteriorly: post surface of the maxilla Laterally: ramus of the mandible Medially: lateral pterygoid plate and pterygomaxillary fissure Roof: infratemporal surface of the greater wing of sphenoid deep to zygomatic arch, the temporal and infratemporal fossae communicate

Superficial Contents Muscles: medial and lateral pterygoids. Arteries: maxillary artery and branches. Veins: maxillary and pterygoid plexus of veins. Nerves: mandibular nerve, chorda tympani. Autonomic ganglion: otic ganglion.

Maxillary artery One of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery. It arises within the substances of the parotid gland, behind the neck of the mandible. Course and parts: 1st part: deep to the neck of the mandible 2nd part: on the outer surface of lateral pterygoid 3rd part: dips between the 2 heads of lateral pterygoid then through the pterygomaxillary fissure into pterygopalatine fossa.

Branches From the first part: Deep auricular Anterior tympanic Middle meningeal Accessory meningeal Inferior alveolar. From the second part (muscular branches): Masseteric Deep Temporal Pterygoid Buccal. From the third part (terminal branches): Greater palatine Posterior superior alveolar Naso-palatine Infraorbital Pharyngeal branch Artery of pterygoid canal

Mandibular nerve The largest division of the trigeminal nerve A mixed nerve, formed of a thick sensory and a small motor root The two roots leave the cranial cavity through the foramen ovale Below the foramen, the 2 roots unite to form the trunk of the nerve The trunk is very short and divides into an anterior and posterior divisions The anterior division is mostly motor The posterior division is mostly sensory

Branches From the trunk: Nerve to medial pterygoid (motor): It supplies the medial pterygoid muscle and gives a branch which runs through the otic ganglion without relay and divides into 2 branches which supply the tensor palati and tensor tympani muscles. Meningeal branch, Nervus spinosus (sensory): Passes through the foramen spinosum

Branches From the anterior division: (muscular branches + one sensory branch) Two deep temporal nerves Nerve to masseter Nerve to lateral pterygoid Buccal nerve (sensory): supplies skin over the buccinator, and mucosal lining of buccinator

Branches From the posterior division: (sensory branches + one muscular branch) Auriculotemporal nerve: passes backwards deep to the neck of the mandible to enter the parotid gland. Leaves the gland through the upper end and supplies the scalp. Supplies sensory fibers to the parotid and carries postganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the otic ganglion to the parotid

Branches Lingual nerve: joined by the chorda tympani and descends between the ramus of the mandible and medial pterygoid muscle. Reaches the floor of the mouth by passing on the medial side of the 3rd molar tooth. Carries general sensations from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue. The chorda tympani carries taste sensations from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue and preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular and sublingual glands

Branches Inferior alveolar nerve: runs with the inferior alveolar vessels (behind the lingual nerve) to reach the mandibular foramen Before the mandibular foramen it gives the mylohyoid branch (the only motor branch of the posterior division) The mylohyoid nerve supplies the mylohyoid and anterior belly of digastric muscles The inferior alveolar nerve continues through the mandibular canal. It divides into mental and incisive branches.

Otic ganglion A parasympathetic ganglion which lies just below the foramen ovale, on medial side of mandibular nerve. Roots: Parasympathetic root: from the inferior salivary nucleus, carried by the lesser petrosal nerve Sympathetic root: from the plexus around the middle meningeal artery Motor root: from the nerve to medial pterygoid Branches: Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers carried by the auriculotemporal nerve to the parotid gland Sympathetic fibers to the parotid vessels Motor fibers: to the tensor palati and tensor tympani.

Pterygoid plexus of veins A plexus of veins between the two pterygoid muscles The plexus collects posteriorly to form the maxillary vein. The pterygoid plexus receives veins corresponding to the branches of the maxillary artery. It communicates with (1) the facial vein through the deep facial vein, and (2) with the cavernous sinus through the foramen ovale and (3) with inferior ophthalmic vein through the inferior orbital fissure.

Maxillary vein The maxillary vein: runs backwards deep to the neck of the mandible. passes through the anteromedial surface of the parotid gland. joins the superficial temporal vein to form the retromandibular vein.

Chorda tympani Is a branch of the facial nerve in the middle ear. leaves the tympanic cavity through the petrotympanic fissure to appear in the infratemporal fossa where it joins the lingual nerve. It carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to submandibular and sublingual salivary glands. It also carries taste fibers from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue.

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