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Dissection of left infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae

Internal pterygoid muscle, lateral view

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Image #65-6
Diagram Image
Legend Image
Dissection of left infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae
Internal pterygoid muscle, lateral view
The pterygoid plexus of veins and origins of the external pterygoid muscle have been removed, and the bony wall of the cranial vault resected. Branches of the mandibular nerve have been exposed in their course through the infratemporal fossa. The maxillary nerve (1) is visible as it passes through the foramen rotundum into the pterygopalatine fossa.
  1. Upper pointer: Maxillary nerve (V) within cavernous sinus Lower pointer: Maxillary nerve (V) within Pterygopalatine fossa
  2. Sphenoid bone (cut across at junction of great wing and body)
  3. Infraorbital artery
  4. Upper pointer: Buccal nerve Lower pointer: External pterygoid nerve
  5. Upper pointer: Deep anterior temporal artery Lower pointer: Internal maxillary artery
  6. Upper pointer: Superior posterior alveolar nerves Lower pointer: Superior posterior alveolar artery
  7. Lateral plate of pterygoid process
  8. Internal maxillary nerve plexus
  9. Upper pointer: Middle meningeal artery Lower pointer: Anterior tympanic artery
  10. Internal pterygoid nerve
  11. Lingual nerve
  12. Internal pterygoid muscle
  13. Buccinator muscle (cut across)
  14. Tongue
  15. Zygomatic process of temporal bone
  16. Articular disc of mandible
  17. Cartilaginous acoustic meatus
  18. Joint capsule of mandible
  19. Upper pointer: Auriculotemporal nerve Lower pointer: Sphenomandibular ligament (cut off)
  20. Facial nerve (VII) at exit from stylomastoid foramen
  21. Mastoid cells
  22. Superficial temporal artery
  23. Digastric branch of facial nerve
  24. Styloid process
  25. Internal maxillary artery
  26. External carotid artery
  27. Posterior belly of digastric muscle
  28. Upper pointer: Inferior alveolar nerve Lower pointer: Mylohyoid nerve
  29. Levator scapulae muscle (cut off)
  30. Internal jugular vein