Fossa Infratemporalis

The infratemporal fossa is the skull compartment localized below the temporal fossa and medial to the ramus mandibulae. The point which usually is missed out is that the pterygopalatine fossa is the part of the fossa infratemporalis. Therefore the infratemporal fossa is directly bordered (temporal fossa & basis cranii externa) or connects via openings (basis cranii interna, orbit & nasal cavity) almost all other skull compartments.

Icon of crossfade image Location of the infratemporal fossa relative to the other bone structures of the skull
Infratemporal fossa. Antero-lateral aspect
Location of the infratemporal fossa relative to the main structures of the skull
The list of terms: Fossa infratemporalis – Infratemporal fossa
Fossa temporalis – Temporal fossa
Ramus mandibulae – Ramus of mandible
Lamina lateralis processus pterygoidei ossis sphenoidalis – Lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone
Icon of crossfade image Surfaces and connections of the infratemporal fossa
Infratemporal fossa. Postero-inferior aspect
The location of the infratemporal fossa relative to other structures of the skull base. Note that the mandible is the part of the fossa and forms its lateral wall.
The list of terms: Fossa infratemporalis – Infratemporal fossa
Ramus mandibulae – Ramus of mandible
Foramen mandibulare – Mandibular foramen
Arcus zygomaticus – Zygomatic arch
Facies infratemporalis alae majoris ossis sphenoidalis – Infratemporal surface of the greater wing of sphenoid bone
Facies infratemporalis maxillae – Infratemporal surface of maxilla
Lamina lateralis processus pterygoidei ossis sphenoidalis – Lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone
Fissura orbitalis inferior – Inferior orbital fissure
Icon of crossfade image Surfaces and connections of the infratemporal fossa
Infratemporal fossa. Infero-lateral aspect
The image demonstrates an inferolateral aspect of the skull without a mandible. The details of the medial and superior walls of the infratemporal fossa are exposed. That aspect shows all openings connecting the fossa to other topographical regions of the skull:
  • inferior orbital fissure connects with the orbit
  • oval and spinous foramina connect with the intracranial cavity
  • sphenopalatine foramen connects with the nasal cavity
    • The latter is not observable directly, as it is in the deep of the pterygomaxillary fissure.
    The list of terms: Fossa infratemporalis – Infratemporal fossa
    Fossa temporalis – Temporal fossa
    Crista infratemporalis – Infratemporal crest
    Arcus zygomaticus – Zygomatic arch
    Facies infratemporalis maxillae – Infratemporal surface of maxilla
    Facies infratemporalis alae majoris ossis sphenoidalis – Infratemporal surface of the greater wing of sphenoid bone
    Lamina lateralis – Lateral pterygoid plate
    Tuberculum articulare – Articular tubercle
    Fossa mandibularis – Mandibular fossa
    Fissura orbitalis inferior – Inferior orbital fissure
    Fissura pterygomaxillaris – Pterygomaxillary fissure
    Foramen ovale – Oval opening
    Foramen spinosum – Spinous opening
    Fissura petrotympanica – Petrotympanic fissure
    Foramina alveolaria – Alveolar foramina
    First published: Feb/2020
    Last update: 18/Nov/2020