---
title: "Infratemporal Fossa | Anatomy and Physiology I"
description: "Infratemporal fossa is the skull base space below the temporal bone that holds chewing muscles, nerves, and the maxillary artery in Anatomy and Physiology I."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/anatomy-physiology/key-terms/infratemporal-fossa"
type: "key-term"
subject: "Anatomy and Physiology I"
unit: "Unit 7"
---

# Infratemporal Fossa | Anatomy and Physiology I

## Definition

The infratemporal fossa is a deep space below the temporal bone and behind the upper jaw that contains chewing muscles, branches of the trigeminal nerve, and the maxillary artery.

## What It Is

The infratemporal fossa is a deep space at the base of the skull in Anatomy and Physiology I, sitting inferior to the temporal bone and posterior to the maxilla and mandible. It is not a single organ or bone, but an anatomical region where several muscles, nerves, and blood vessels travel together.

Think of it as a crowded passageway under the cheekbone and beside the jaw. The space is bounded by the temporal bone above, the sphenoid bone medially, and the ramus of the mandible laterally. Because it is so deep, you usually do not see it directly in a surface view of the skull, but it matters a lot in dissection, imaging, and lab identification.

The big structures in this region are the muscles of mastication, especially the pterygoid muscles. These muscles help move the mandible during chewing, and they work with the temporomandibular joint to let you open, close, and grind food. If you are tracing how the jaw moves, this space is where several of the moving parts come together.

The infratemporal fossa also carries branches of the trigeminal nerve, which is the main sensory nerve for the face and also provides motor input to the muscles of mastication. That makes the region a crossroads for both sensation and movement. If a nerve is irritated here, a person may feel facial pain, numbness, or trouble with jaw motion.

The maxillary artery also passes through this space, bringing blood to structures in the face, jaw, and nearby areas. So when you study the infratemporal fossa, you are really looking at a compact region where muscle action, nerve signaling, and blood supply all meet. That is why it shows up in skull anatomy rather than as a separate topic by itself.

## Why It Matters

The infratemporal fossa connects several skull and facial anatomy topics in one region. It links the temporal bone, mandible, trigeminal nerve, chewing muscles, and maxillary artery, so it is a good example of how anatomy is organized by function instead of by isolated parts.

This term also shows up when you explain jaw movement. The pterygoid muscles in this space help pull the mandible in different directions, which is why the region matters for mastication and TMJ movement. If jaw motion is limited, the problem may involve deep structures like these rather than only the visible jawline.

It also gives you a way to connect anatomy with symptoms. Pain, trismus, or altered facial sensation can make more sense when you know what runs through the area. In skull study, that makes the infratemporal fossa a useful landmark for understanding how structure and function match up.

## Connections

### [Temporal Bone](/anatomy-physiology/key-terms/temporal-bone)

The temporal bone forms part of the boundary of the infratemporal fossa and sits just superior to it. When you identify the fossa on a skull, the temporal bone helps orient you to where the deep space begins. It is also part of the larger skull anatomy that surrounds and protects the structures passing through this region.

### Masticatory Muscles

The infratemporal fossa contains the main muscles used for chewing, especially the pterygoid muscles. This makes the region a functional space, not just an empty cavity. If you are tracing how the mandible moves during mastication, this is where several of the force-producing muscles are located.

### [Trigeminal Nerve](/anatomy-physiology/key-terms/trigeminal-nerve)

Branches of the trigeminal nerve pass through the infratemporal fossa, so this region is tied to both facial sensation and muscle control. That connection is why problems here can cause pain, numbness, or trouble with chewing. The nerve anatomy helps explain why the area matters clinically, not just on a skull diagram.

### [condylar process of the mandible](/anatomy-physiology/key-terms/condylar-process-of-the-mandible)

The condylar process of the mandible is part of the jaw that participates in TMJ movement, which is closely related to the muscles found near the infratemporal fossa. When you study jaw mechanics, this process helps show how the mandible moves as the deep chewing muscles contract. It is a good nearby landmark for understanding orientation.

## On the AP Exam

A quiz question may ask you to identify the infratemporal fossa on a skull image or explain which structures pass through it. On a lab practical, you might need to point out that it lies deep to the temporal bone and contains chewing muscles, branches of the trigeminal nerve, and the maxillary artery. Short-answer questions often connect it to mastication, TMJ movement, or facial sensation. If a case asks about jaw pain, trismus, or numbness, this space is one of the regions you would consider when tracing what might be affected.

## Key Takeaways

- The infratemporal fossa is a deep space at the base of the skull, not a bone or a gland.
- It sits below the temporal bone and behind the upper jaw, which makes it a useful landmark in skull anatomy.
- The region contains muscles of mastication, branches of the trigeminal nerve, and the maxillary artery.
- Its structures help control chewing, facial sensation, and blood supply to nearby head and neck tissues.
- When this area is affected, you may see jaw pain, limited opening of the mouth, or sensory changes in the face.

## FAQs

### What is the infratemporal fossa in Anatomy and Physiology I?

It is a deep anatomical space below the temporal bone and behind the upper jaw. In A&P, you study it because it contains chewing muscles, trigeminal nerve branches, and the maxillary artery. It is one of the skull regions where movement, sensation, and blood supply come together.

### Is the infratemporal fossa part of the skull?

Yes, it is a deep region of the skull base rather than a separate organ. It is bordered by skull bones, including the temporal and sphenoid bones, and by the mandible. That makes it a named space within skull anatomy, which is how it usually appears in lab work and diagrams.

### What structures are in the infratemporal fossa?

The major structures include the pterygoid muscles, branches of the trigeminal nerve, and the maxillary artery. Those parts work together in chewing, facial sensation, and blood flow. If you are studying the region, focus on what moves the jaw and what passes through the space.

### Why does the infratemporal fossa matter clinically?

Because it contains deep muscles, nerves, and vessels, problems there can show up as pain, numbness, or limited jaw movement. A disorder affecting this region can interfere with mastication or facial sensation. That is why anatomy questions often connect it to trismus and trigeminal nerve pathways.

## Related Study Guides

- [7.2 The Skull ](/anatomy-physiology/unit-7/2-skull/study-guide/UlZ8y25gzC1E8srV)

## About This Document

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