The infratemporal fossa is small and narrow, but relatively wide across. In anatomy, it is known as "fossa infratemporalis".
General information
The infratemporal fossa is formed from above due to the bone coming from the infratemporal crest, or rather, it is adjacent to the wing from the larger side. Anteriorly, the zone is in contact with the upper jaw, adjacent to its posterior tubercle. From the sphenoid bone comes a formation called the lateral. It constitutes the medial wall of the area under consideration. But from below and outside the organ is not limited by any bone. Laterally, the infratemporal fossa ends near the lower jaw.
The closest neighbor of the infratemporal fossa is also a fossa, but called pterygopalatine. It is a slit resembling a funnel, and begins where the infratemporal fossa deepens at the point of convergence of the walls of the middle and bounding section in front.
In this zone, the muscle of the temple, nerves, blood vessels, as well as the muscle called the pterygolateral are partially present. All this provides a connection between the infratemporal fossa and the eye cavities.
Temporal and infratemporal
A close neighbor of the area under consideration is the temporal fossa. She is closezygomatic 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 temporal fossa is formed:
- sphenoid bone;
- temporal bone;
- zygomatic bone.
The temporal fossa is defined on one side by the zygomatic arch, and below is formed by the infratemporal crest.
The temporal and infratemporal fossae are located close, while the second is under the first. It communicates with the cranial fossa through a spinous, oval foramen. For contact with the pterygo-palatine, the pterygo-maxillary fissure is provided.
Abscesses
The infratemporal fossa can be affected by an infection that has penetrated through the lower border, since it is rather conditional. Anatomically, the fossa 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.
Abscess of the infratemporal 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, it is the infratemporal fossa that suffers first of all.
Venous sinusitis affects the infratemporal fossa through contact with the pterygoid venous plexus, through which the infection enters from the orbit.
From the infratemporal fossa, the infection moves on to:
- brain;
- peropharyngeal region;
- dura mater of the brain.
Phlegmon
Phlegmon of the infratemporal fossa and pterygopalatine are diagnosed together due toclose contact of affected spaces.
Phlegmon is an inflammatory process of the zone, associated with purulent discharge, severe pain. When the fossa becomes infected, the affected area grows over time, causing severe intoxication of the body.
The infratemporal fossa is characterized by mild inflammatory jaw contracture. The patient has a high fever and severe headache. After 48 hours, a swelling develops, edema leading to exophthalmos.
Treatment of phlegmon - operational, emergency. If the surgical intervention is late, the space near the pharynx is affected, which affects speech, breathing becomes difficult, it becomes almost impossible to swallow.
The operation is carried out by opening the oral cavity in its vestibule, making a 2-3 cm incision in the region of the upper molars. Applying a curved clamp, open the way through the infratemporal towards the pterygopalatine fossa, allowing the exudate to flow out quietly. In simpler cases, when the abscess is at this level, such an operation is enough, a cure occurs. If the infection has affected the peripharyngeal zone, the surgeon performs a percutaneous incision from under the jaw.
