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Dissection of left infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae

Blood vessels and nerves related to external pterygoid muscle, lateral view

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Image #65-2
Bassett Image
Diagram Image
Legend Image
Dissection of left infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae
Blood vessels and nerves related to external pterygoid muscle, lateral view
Most of the temporal muscle has been cut away but short strands in the area of its origin (14) and a remnant of its tendon of insertion (13) remain. In addition, the ramus of the mandible has been partially cut away to reveal the inferior alveolar vessels and nerve as well as the pterygoid plexus of veins.
  1. Zygomaticotemporal branch zygomatic nerve
  2. External pterygoid muscle (superior fascicle)
  3. Zygomaticofacial branch of zygomatic nerve
  4. Upper pointer: Maxillary nerve (V) in depths of pterygopalatine fossa Lower pointer: Infraorbital artery
  5. Deep anterior temporal artery (cut off)
  6. Superior posterior alveolar artery
  7. Buccal nerve and buccal artery
  8. Buccal branch of superior posterior alveolar artery (uninjected)
  9. Buccal filament from plexus of nerves surrounding alveolar artery
  10. Canine fossa
  11. Molar glands
  12. Buccinator muscle
  13. Tendon of temporalis muscle (cut off)
  14. Temporal fossa
  15. Anterior deep temporal nerve
  16. Posterior deep temporal nerve
  17. Zygomatic process temporal bone (cut off)
  18. Upper pointer: Auriculotemporal nerve Lower pointer: Temporomandibular ligament
  19. Masseteric nerve
  20. External pterygoid muscle (inferior fascicle)
  21. Superficial temporal artery
  22. Facial nerve (VII)
  23. Transverse facial artery
  24. Pterygoid venous plexus
  25. Sphenomandibular ligament
  26. Upper pointer: Inferior alveolar artery Lower pointer: Inferior alveolar nerve
  27. Posterior belly of digastric muscle
  28. Mandibular canal (cortical bone which forms wall of canal intact in area indicated by pointer)