FOSSA INFRATEMPORALIS Meaning and
Definition
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The term "fossa infratemporalis" refers to a specific anatomical region located in the human skull. More specifically, it refers to a depression or hollow space located inferiorly (below) and temporally (near the temple) in relation to the skull. The word "fossa" itself is Latin for "ditch" or "depression," while "infratemporalis" combines the Latin words "infra," meaning "below," and "temporalis," meaning "temple."
In terms of anatomy, the fossa infratemporalis is situated deep within the skull, within the infratemporal region. It is enclosed by several bony structures, including the maxilla (upper jawbone), mandible (lower jawbone), and sphenoid bone. The fossa infratemporalis also shares a border with the temporal bone and the pterygoid plates of the sphenoid bone.
Within the fossa infratemporalis, several important structures can be found. These include muscles such as the temporalis muscle and the muscles of mastication, as well as blood vessels like the maxillary artery and its branches. Furthermore, the mandibular nerve (a branch of the trigeminal nerve) and its associated ganglion are also located within this anatomical space.
Overall, the fossa infratemporalis is a vital region in the skull, housing significant structures that are essential for functions such as chewing, facial sensation, and blood supply to the surrounding areas of the head and face.
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Infratemporal or zygomatic fossa, the cavity on the side of the skull bounded externally by the zygoma and ramus of the mandible, internally by the external pterygoid plate, anteriorly by the zygomatic process of the maxilla, posteriorly by the tuberculum articulare of the temporal bone and the posterior border of the external pterygoid plate, and above by the squama of the temporal bone and the pterygoid ridge on the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FOSSA INFRATEMPORALIS
- fossainfratempoaralis
- fossainfratemporealis
- f ossa infratemporalis
- fo ssa infratemporalis
- fos sa infratemporalis
- foss a infratemporalis
- fossa i nfratemporalis
- fossa in fratemporalis
- fossa inf ratemporalis
- fossa infr atemporalis
- fossa infra temporalis
- fossa infrat emporalis
- fossa infrate mporalis
- fossa infratempo ralis
- fossa infratempor alis
- fossa infratempora lis
- fossa infratemporal is
- fossa infratemporali s
Etymology of FOSSA INFRATEMPORALIS
The word fossa infratemporalis is derived from Latin.
- Fossa in Latin means ditch or trench.
- Infra means below or beneath.
- Tempor is derived from tempus, meaning temple or side of the head.
- The suffix -alis denotes pertaining to or relating to.
Therefore, when combined, fossa infratemporalis translates to the trench beneath the temple or the ditch below the side of the head.
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