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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
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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)