What cranial nerves are in the infratemporal fossa?

Mandibular nerve which is the third branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3), also known as the “inferior maxillary nerve” or nervus mandibularis, enters infratemporal fossa from middle cranial fossa through foramen ovale.

What ganglia are in the infratemporal fossa?

Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy The otic ganglion is a small parasympathetic ganglion located immediately below the foramen ovale in the infratemporal fossa and on the medial surface of the mandibular nerve. It is functionally associated with the glossopharyngeal nerve and innervates the parotid gland for salivation.

Which muscle occupies most of the infratemporal fossa?

lateral pterygoid muscle
The lateral pterygoid muscle contains two heads and occupies most of the area in the superior infratemporal fossa.

What are the contents of the infratemporal fossa?

The infratemporal fossa acts as a pathway for neurovascular structures passing to and from the cranial cavity, pterygopalatine fossa and temporal fossa. It also contains some of the muscles of mastication. In fact, the lateral pterygoid splits the fossa contents in half – the branches of the mandibular nerve lay deep to the muscle,

Where is the infratemporal fossa of the mandibular nerve?

Between the two heads of the lateral pterygoid emerges the buccal branch of the mandibular nerve. The lingual and inferior alveolar branches of the mandibular nerve lie below the inferior border of the lateral pterygoid. The infratemporal fossa encompasses the retroantral fat and medial parts of the following spaces 6:

How is the fossa related to the temporal fossa?

The fossa communicates with the temporal fossa via the space deep to the zygomatic arch, with the pterygopalatine fossa via the pterygomaxillary fissure, and with the middle cranial fossa via the foraminae ovale and spinosum. The lateral pterygoid forms the foundation whereupon all other contents of the fossa are related.

Is the fossa associated with the muscles of mastication?

It also contains some of the muscles of mastication. In fact, the lateral pterygoid splits the fossa contents in half – the branches of the mandibular nerve lay deep to the muscle, while the maxillary artery is superficial to it. The infratemporal fossa is associated with the muscles of mastication.