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The pterygomandibular space is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space in the head and is paired on each side. It is located between the medial pterygoid muscle and the medial surface of the ramus of the mandible.
The lateral pterygoid muscle, auriculotemporal nerve, and the maxillary artery and maxillary vein are situated laterally to the SML (the vessels and nerve coursing betwixt the SML, and the neck of the mandibular condyle [1] [3]). [1] The chorda tympani nerve is situated medially to the SML [1] near its upper end. [citation needed]
The lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid (or lateral lamina of pterygoid process) is broad, thin, and everted and forms the lateral part of a horseshoe like process that extends from the inferior aspect of the sphenoid bone, and serves as the origin of the lateral pterygoid muscle, which functions in allowing the mandible to move in a lateral and medial direction, or from side-to-side.
The four classical muscles of mastication elevate the mandible (closing the jaw) and move it forward/backward and laterally, facilitating biting and chewing. Other muscles are responsible for opening the jaw, namely the geniohyoid, mylohyoid, and digastric muscles (the lateral pterygoid may play a role).
The nerve passes deep to the neck of the mandible [1] - between it and the sphenomandibular ligament [2]: 364 - andthen courses deep to the lateral pterygoid muscle. [1] It issues parotid branches and then turns superiorly, posterior to its head and moving anteriorly, gives off anterior branches to the auricle.
The pterygomandibular raphe (pterygomandibular fold [1] or pterygomandibular ligament) is a thin [2] tendinous band of buccopharyngeal fascia.It is attached superiorly to the pterygoid hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate, and inferiorly to the posterior end of the mylohyoid line of the mandible.
In the head and neck, potential spaces are primarily defined by the complex attachment of muscles, especially mylohyoid, buccinator, masseter, medial pterygoid, superior constrictor and orbicularis oris. [6] Infections involving fascial spaces of the head and neck may give varying signs and symptoms depending upon the spaces involved.
It is located posterior to the maxilla, between the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone medially and by the base of skull superiorly. [2] The term is derived from infra- meaning below and temporal which refers to the temporalis muscle .