Infratemporal Fossa

What are the Boundaries of Infratemporal Fossa?

Infratemporal fossa is a wedge-shaped space below  the middle cranial fossa, deep to the ramus of the mandible and posterior to the maxilla.

Boundaries of infratemporal fossa are:

• Laterally: Ramus of mandible.
• Anteriorly: Posterior surface of maxilla.
• Posteriorly:Tympanic plate and styloid process.
• Medially: Lateral pterygoid plate & pharynx.
• Roof is formed:
  • Medially by Infratemporal surface of greater wing of sphenoid.
  • Laterally it is continuous above with temporal fossa.
• Inferiorly it is continuous with para-pharyngeal space. 

Contents of Infratemporal Fossa

The contents of infratemporal fossa are:

• Muscles: lateral pterygoid, medial pterygoid and tendon of temporalis.
• Nerves: mandibular nerve and its branches, chorda tympani, otic ganglion.
• Blood vessels: 1^st and 2^nd part of maxillary artery and its branches, maxillary vein and pterygoid plexus of veins.
• Ligament: Sphenomandibular ligament.