science

Submasseteric space

Submasseteric 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 Submasseteric space rather than just read about it. In short: The submasseterric space (also termed the masseteric 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 face over the angle of the jaw, and is paired on each side.

Key takeaways

Submasseteric 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 Submasseteric space to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Submasseteric space from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The submasseterric space (also termed the masseteric 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 face over the angle of the jaw, and is paired on each side. It is located between the lateral aspect of the mandible and the medial aspect of the masseter muscle and its investing fascia. The term is derived from sub- meaning "under" in Latin and masseteric which refers to the masseter muscle. The submasseteric space is one of the four compartments of the masticator space. Sometimes the submasseteric space is described as a series of spaces, created because the masseter muscle has multiple insertions that cover most of the lateral surface of the ramus of the mandible.

Structure

Anatomic boundaries The boundaries of each submasseteric space are:

the anterior margin of the masseter muscle anteriorly, the parotid gland posteriorly, the zygomatic arch superiorly, the inferior border of the mandible inferiorly, the lateral surface of the mandibular ramus medially (the submasseteric space is superficial to the mandible), the masseter muscle laterally (the submasseteric space is deep to masseter).

Communications The communications of each submasseteric space are:

to the buccal space anteriorly, to the pterygomandibular space (around the posterior margin of the mandibular ramus to its medial surface) and the parotid space posteriorly, to the superficial temporal space superiorly.

Contents In health, the space contains:

the masseteric artery and vein.

Clinical significance Submasseteric abscesses are relatively rare, and may be confused with a parotid abscess or parotitis. They tend to be chronic. The submasseteric space may be involved by infections that spread from the buccal space. Sometimes mandibular fractures in the region of the angle of the mandible may cause an infection of the submasseteric space. The signs and symptoms of a submasseteric abscess may include marked trismus (i.e. difficulty opening the mouth, since the masseter elevates the mandible and it becomes restricted) and swelling in the region of the masseter muscle. The treatment of a submasseteric space infection is usually by surgical incision and drainage, and the incision is placed intra-orally (inside the mouth) or both intra and extra-orally if other parts of the masticator space are involved.

Odontogenic infections The submasseteric space is sometimes involved by the spread of odontogenic infections, such as a pericoronal abscess associated with an impacted mandibular third molar (lower wisdom tooth) when the apices of the tooth lie very close to or within the space.

Additional images

References

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Submasseteric space

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Submasseteric 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 Submasseteric 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 Submasseteric 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 Submasseteric space

In research: Submasseteric 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 Submasseteric 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: Submasseteric 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 Submasseteric 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.

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How to study Submasseteric space in 20 minutes

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

Frequently asked questions

What is Submasseteric space in simple terms?

Why does Submasseteric 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 Submasseteric 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 Submasseteric space.