ArticleslgStudy

science

Infratemporal space

Infratemporal space is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Infratemporal space rather than just read about it. In short: The infratemporal space (also termed the infra-temporal space or the infra-temporal portion of the deep temporal space) is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space in the side of the head, and is paired on either side.

Infratemporal space — main illustration
Infratemporal space — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Infratemporal space belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Infratemporal space to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Infratemporal space from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The infratemporal space (also termed the infra-temporal space or the infra-temporal portion of the deep temporal space) is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space in the side of the head, and is paired on either side. It is located posterior to the maxilla, between the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone medially and by the base of skull superiorly. The term is derived from infra- meaning below and temporal which refers to the temporalis muscle. The infratemporal space is the inferior portion of the deep temporal space, which is one of the four compartments of the masticator space, along with the pterygomandibular space, the submasseteric space and the superficial temporal space. The deep temporal space is separated from the pterygomandibular space by the lateral pterygoid muscle inferiorly and from the superficial temporal space by the temporalis muscle laterally. The deep temporal space and the superficial temporal space together make up the temporal spaces.

Location and structure

Anatomic boundaries The boundaries of the infratemporal space are:

the greater wing of the sphenoid bone superiorly the pterygomandibular space inferiorly the infra-temporal surface of the maxilla anteriorly, the lateral pterygoid plate, part of the lateral pterygoid muscle and lateral pharyngeal wall medially

Communications The communications of the infratemporal space are:

the pterygomandibular space inferiorly, the buccal space anteriorly and inferiorly, to the cavernous sinus via the pterygoid plexus of veins.

Contents The contents of the infratemporal space are:

branches of the maxillary artery, the pterygoid venous plexus.

Clinical relevance Infections of the infratemporal space are rare. They may be significant however, as it is possible for infection to spread via emissary veins from the pterygoid plexus to the cavernous sinus, which may result in cavernous sinus thrombosis, a rare but life-threatening condition. The signs and symptoms of an infratemporal space infection are swelling of the face in the region of the sigmoid notch, swelling of the mouth in the region of the maxillary tuberosity and marked trismus (difficulty opening the mouth), since some of the muscles of mastication are restricted by the swelling. Treatment of an abscess of this space is usually by surgical incision and drainage, with the incision being placed on the face (a small horizontal incision posterior to the junction of the temporal and frontal process of the zygomatic bone. or both on the face and inside the mouth.

Odontogenic infection The spread of odontogenic infections may sometimes involve the infratemporal space. The most likely causative tooth is the maxillary third molar (upper wisdom tooth).

References

Illustrations

Infratemporal space illustration
Infratemporal space: The four compartents of the right masticator space. A Temporalis muscle, B Masseter muscle, C Lateral pterygoid muscle, D Medial ptaerygoid muscle, E Superficial temporal space, F Deep temporal space, G Submasseteric space, H Pterygomandibular space, I Approximate location of infratemporal space.
The four compartents of the right masticator space. A Temporalis muscle, B Masseter muscle, C Lateral pterygoid muscle, D Medial ptaerygoid muscle, E Superficial temporal space, F Deep temporal space, G Submasseteric space, H Pterygomandibular space, I Approximate location of infratemporal space.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Infratemporal space

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Infratemporal space claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Infratemporal space before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Infratemporal space ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Infratemporal space

In research
Infratemporal space appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Infratemporal space in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Infratemporal space is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Fascial spaces of the head and neck, Mouth, Oral and maxillofacial surgery, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Infratemporal space outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

Affiliate

Preply — study more efficiently by working with a personal tutor. 50% off.

How to study Infratemporal space in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Infratemporal space means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Infratemporal space out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Infratemporal space in simple terms?

The infratemporal space (also termed the infra-temporal space or the infra-temporal portion of the deep temporal space) is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space in the side of the head, and is paired on either side.

Why does Infratemporal space matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Infratemporal space?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Infratemporal space.

Tags

  • Fascial spaces of the head and neck
  • Mouth
  • Oral and maxillofacial surgery
  • Otorhinolaryngology

Keep exploring