The infratemporal fossa is located lateral to the lateral pterygoid plate and contains muscles like the temporalis and lateral pterygoid. It is bounded by bones including the mandible, sphenoid, and palatine. The maxillary artery and its branches supply the fossa, along with nerves like V3. The fossa contains the temporalis muscle, pterygoid muscles, maxillary artery branches, and the pterygoid venous plexus.

1. Torres, Kathleen
INFRATEMPORAL FOSSA

3. Borders Structures
Lateral Ramus of the mandible and coronoid process of
the mandible
Medial Lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid, the
superior constrictor muscle, and the pyramidal
process of the palatine bone
Superior Infratemporal surface of the greater wing of
sphenoid with the foramen ovale and foramen
spinosum
Anterior Posterior portion of the maxilla
Posterior Styloid process and condylar process of the
mandible
Inferior No anatomic floor as the boundary of the fossa
ends where the medial pterygoid attaches to the
mandible

4. Contents of Infratemporal Fossa

5. Contents of Infratemporal Fossa

6. Contents of Infratemporal Fossa
Muscles
1. Temporalis
2. Lateral pterygoid
3. Medial pterygoid
Arteries
1. Maxillary and its branches
Veins
1. Pterygoid plexus of veins and tributaries

7. Contents of Infratemporal Fossa
Nerves
1. V3 and branches
2. Posterior superior alveolar
3. Chorda tympani
4. Otic Ganglion
4. Lesser petrosal

8. Vascular Supply
I. Maxillary Artery

9. Vascular Supply
I. Maxillary Artery

10. Vascular Supply
I.A. 1st part (Mandibular part)
-Passes between the ramus of the mandible and
the sphenomandibular ligament

11. Vascular Supply
I.A. 1st part (Mandibular part)
1. Deep auricular Supplies TMJ
2. Anterior tympanic Aids in supplying the tympanic membrane
along with some branches of the internal
carotid artery
3. Middle meningeal Divides into anterior and posterior branches
to supply the meninges
4. Accessory Supplies the trigeminal ganglion and dura
meningeal mater
5. Inferior alveolar Supplies the dental alveoli

12. Vascular Supply
I.B. 2nd part (Pterygoid part)
- Passes obliquely and anterosuperiorly between the ramus
of the mandible and insertion the the temporalis muscle

13. Vascular Supply
I.B. 2nd part (Pterygoid part)
Branches supply the muscles of the same name:
1. Anterior and posterior deep temporal
2. Masseteric
3. Pterygoid
4. Buccal

14. Vascular Supply
I.C. 3rd part (Pterygopalatine part)
Passes from the infratemporal fossa into the
pterygopalatine fossa via the pterygomaxillary fissure

15. Vascular Supply
I.C. 3rd part (pterygopalatine part)
1. Posterior superior Supplies the molars and
alvelar premolars, lining of the maxillary
sinus and the gums

16. Vascular Supply
II. Pterygoid Plexus
•An extensive network of veins that parallel the 2nd
and 3rd parts of the maxillary artery
•Receives branches that correspond with the same
branches of the maxillary artery
•The tributaries of the pterygoid p;exus eventually
converge to form a short maxillary vein
•Communicates with the cavernous sinus,
pharyngeal venous plexus, facial vein via the deep
facial vein, and ophthalmic veins