The infratemporal fossa is small in size and narrow, but relatively wide across. In anatomy, it is known as “fossa infratemporalis”.
general information
The infratemporal fossa is formed from above thanks to a bone coming from the infratemporal crest, or rather, it adjoins the wing from the greater side. In front of the zone is in contact with the upper jaw, adjacent to its posterior tubercle. From the sphenoid bone there is a formation called lateral. It forms the medial wall of the region under consideration. But from below and outside the body is not limited to any bone. On the side, the infratemporal fossa ends near the lower jaw.
The closest neighbor of the infratemporal fossa is also the fossa, but called pterygo-palatine. It is a gap resembling a funnel, and begins where the temporal fossa deepens at the point of convergence of the walls of the middle and bounding the front.
In this area, the temple muscle, nerves, blood vessels, and also a muscle called the lateral wing are partially present. All this provides a connection between the infratemporal fossa and the eye cavities.
Temporal and temporal
A close neighbor of the area under consideration is the temporal fossa. It is located near the zygomatic arch. The area is limited by the line of the temple from above, and the role of the medial wall is played by the parietal bone in the lower part. Partially the temporal fossa is formed:
- sphenoid bone;
- temporal bone;
- cheekbone.
The temporal fossa is defined on one side by the zygomatic arch, and is formed by the infratemporal crest below.
The temporal and temporal fossae are located close, while the second is under the first. It communicates with the cranial fossa due to the spinous, oval openings. For contact with the pterygo-palatine, a pterygo-upper-maxillary fissure is provided.
Abscesses
The infratemporal fossa can be affected by an infection that has penetrated the lower border, since it is rather arbitrary. Anatomically, the fovea is in contact with the masticatory space and cheeks. The lack of isolation on this side allows infected cells of the eye sockets, cheeks, and other fossae to quickly infect the infratemporal.
An abscess of the temporal fossa is initiated by periostitis, which appeared at the level of the upper large molars. Since this disease affects the fatty lump of the cheek, the temporal fossa is the first to suffer.
Venous sinusitis affects the infratemporal fossa due to contact with the pterygoid venous plexus, through which the infection enters from the orbit.
From the infratemporal fossa, the infection moves on to:
- the brain;
- periopharyngeal region;
- dura mater.
Phlegmon
Phlegmon of the infratemporal fossa and pterygo-palatine are diagnosed together due to close contact of the affected spaces.
Phlegmon is an inflammatory process of the zone, coupled with purulent discharge, severe pain. With infection of the fossa, the affected area grows with time, causing severe intoxication of the body.
The infratemporal fossa is characterized by a mild inflammatory jaw contracture. The patient has a high fever and a severe headache. After 48 hours, a tumor develops , edema leading to exophthalmos.
Phlegmon treatment - prompt, emergency. If you are late with surgery, there is a lesion of the space near the pharynx, which causes speech, breathing is difficult, and it becomes almost impossible to swallow.
The operation is performed by opening the oral cavity on its eve, making a 2-3-centimeter incision in the region of the upper molars. Using a curved clamp, they open the path through the infratemporal to the pterygo-palatine fossa, allowing the exudate to calmly flow out. In simpler cases, when the abscess is at this level, such an operation is enough, there is a cure. In case the infection affects the near-pharyngeal zone, the surgeon performs a percutaneous incision from under the jaw.