Mandibular fossa

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Mandibular fossa
Mandibular fossa - lateral view02.png
Left temporal bone. Outer surface. (Mandibular fossa labeled at left, third from the top.)
Gray187.png
Base of skull. Inferior surface. (Mandibular fossa labeled at center left. Temporal bone is pink.)
Details
Part of Temporal bone
System Skeletal
Identifiers
Latin fossa mandibularis
TA98 A02.1.06.071
TA2 712
FMA 75313
Anatomical terms of bone

The mandibular fossa, also known as the glenoid fossa in some dental literature, is the depression in the temporal bone that articulates with the mandible.

Contents

Structure

In the temporal bone, the mandibular fossa is bounded anteriorly by the articular tubercle and posteriorly by the tympanic portion of the temporal bone, which separates it from the external acoustic meatus. The fossa is divided into two parts by a narrow slit, the petrotympanic fissure (Glaserian fissure). It is concave in shape to receive the condyloid process of the mandible. [1]

Development

The mandibular fossa develops from condylar cartilage. This may be stimulated by SOX9 or ALK2, as has been seen in mouse models. [2]

Function

The condyloid process of the mandible articulates with the temporal bone of the skull at the mandibular fossa. [3] [4]

Clinical significance

Problems with morphogenesis during embryonic development can lead to the mandibular fossa not forming. [2] This may be caused by mutations to SOX9 or ALK2. [2]

If the mandibular fossa is very shallow, this can cause problems with the strength of the temporomandibular joint. [5] This can lead to easy subluxation of the joint and trismus (lock jaw). [5] Deformation of the mandibular fossa, often part of temporomandibular dysplasia, causes similar problems in dogs. [6] [7] This may resolve spontaneously, or require surgery. [7]

History

The mandibular fossa is also known as the glenoid fossa in some dental literature. [1] [8]

Other animals

The mandibular fossa is a feature of the skulls of various other animals, including dogs. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temporomandibular joint</span> Joints connecting the jawbone to the skull

In anatomy, the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints connecting the jawbone to the skull. It is a bilateral synovial articulation between the temporal bone of the skull above and the mandible below; it is from these bones that its name is derived. The joints are unique in their bilateral function, being connected via the mandible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temporalis muscle</span> Muscle on the side of the head which aids in chewing

In anatomy, the temporalis muscle, also known as the temporal muscle, is one of the muscles of mastication (chewing). It is a broad, fan-shaped convergent muscle on each side of the head that fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic arch so it covers much of the temporal bone.Temporal refers to the head's temples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muscles of mastication</span> Muscles that aid chewing

The four classical muscles of mastication elevate the mandible and move it forward/backward and laterally, facilitating biting and chewing. Other muscles are responsible for opening the jaw, namely the geniohyoid, mylohyoid, and digastric muscles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digastric muscle</span> Small muscle located under the jaw in mammals

The digastric muscle is a bilaterally paired suprahyoid muscle located under the jaw. Its posterior belly is attached to the mastoid notch of temporal bone, and its anterior belly is attached to the digastric fossa of mandible; the two bellies are united by an intermediate tendon which is held in a loop that attaches to the hyoid bone. The anterior belly is innervated via the mandibular nerve, and the posterior belly is innervated via the facial nerve. It may act to depress the mandible or elevate the hyoid bone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandibular foramen</span> Opening on the inner surface of the mandible, allowing for passage of mandibular neurovasculature

The mandibular foramen is an opening on the internal surface of the ramus of the mandible. It allows for divisions of the mandibular nerve and blood vessels to pass through.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masseter muscle</span> One of the masticatory muscles in mammals

In anatomy, the masseter is one of the muscles of mastication. Found only in mammals, it is particularly powerful in herbivores to facilitate chewing of plant matter. The most obvious muscle of mastication is the masseter muscle, since it is the most superficial and one of the strongest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auriculotemporal nerve</span> Branch of the mandibular nerve

The auriculotemporal nerve is a sensory branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that runs with the superficial temporal artery and vein, and provides sensory innervation to parts of the external ear, scalp, and temporomandibular joint. The nerve also conveys post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres from the otic ganglion to the parotid gland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foramen spinosum</span> Hole in the sphenoid bone of the skull

The foramen spinosum is a small open hole in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone that gives passage to the middle meningeal artery and vein, and the meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Condyloid process</span>

The condyloid process or condylar process is the process on the human and other mammalian species' mandibles that ends in a condyle, the mandibular condyle. It is thicker than the coronoid process of the mandible and consists of two portions: the condyle and the constricted portion which supports it, the neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomatic nerve</span> Nerve of the face

The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve. It arises in the pterygopalatine fossa and enters the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure before dividing into its two terminal branches: the zygomaticotemporal nerve and zygomaticofacial nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mylohyoid nerve</span> Nerve of the head

The mylohyoid nerve is a mixed nerve of the head. It is a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve. It provides motor innervation the mylohyoid muscle, and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. It provides sensory innervation to part of the submental area, and sometimes also the mandibular (lower) molar teeth, requiring local anaesthesia for some oral procedures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Incisive foramen</span> Opening of the incisive canals on the hard palate immediately behind the incisor teeth

In the human mouth, the incisive foramen is the opening of the incisive canals on the hard palate immediately behind the incisor teeth. It gives passage to blood vessels and nerves. The incisive foramen is situated within the incisive fossa of the maxilla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Retromandibular vein</span> Major face vein

The retromandibular vein is a major vein of the face. It is formed within the parotid gland by the confluence of the maxillary vein, and superficial temporal vein. It descends in the gland and splits into two branches upon emerging from the gland. Its anterior branch then joins the (anterior) facial vein forming the common facial vein, while its posterior branch joins the posterior auricular vein forming the external jugular vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infratemporal fossa</span> Cavity that is part of the skull

The infratemporal fossa is an irregularly shaped cavity that is a part of the skull. It is situated below and medial to the zygomatic arch. It is not fully enclosed by bone in all directions. It contains superficial muscles, including the lower part of the temporalis muscle, the lateral pterygoid muscle, and the medial pterygoid muscle. It also contains important blood vessels such as the middle meningeal artery, the pterygoid plexus, and the retromandibular vein, and nerves such as the mandibular nerve (CN V3) and its branches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandibular notch</span> Groove in the ramus of the mandible

The mandibular notch, also known as the sigmoid notch, is a groove in the ramus of the mandible. It is the gap between the coronoid process anteriorly and the condyloid process posteriorly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Articular disk of the temporomandibular joint</span>

The articular disk of the temporomandibular joint is a thin, oval plate made of non-vascular fibrous connective tissue located between the mandible's condyloid process and the cranium's mandibular fossa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pterygoid fovea</span> Concave surface on the medial side of the condyloid process of the mandible

The pterygoid fovea is located on the mandible. It is a concave surface on the medial side of the neck of the condyloid process of the mandible. It is located posterior to the mandibular notch and inferior to the mandibular condyle. The pterygoid fovea is the site of insertion for the inferior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dislocation of jaw</span> Medical condition

Dislocations occur when two bones that originally met at the joint detach. Dislocations should not be confused with subluxation. Subluxation is when the joint is still partially attached to the bone.

In anatomy, a fossa is a depression or hollow usually in a bone, such as the hypophyseal fossa. Some examples include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandible</span> Lower jaw bone

In jawed vertebrates, the mandible, lower jaw, or jawbone is a bone that makes up the lower – and typically more mobile – component of the mouth.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 140 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

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  6. 1 2 Jerram, Richard M. (2006-01-01). "97 - Fractures and Dislocations of the Mandible". Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice (3rd ed.). Saunders. pp. 1037–1042. doi:10.1016/B0-72-160422-6/50099-1. ISBN   978-0-7216-0422-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  7. 1 2 Kealy, J. Kevin; McAllister, Hester; Graham, John P. (2011-01-01). "5 - The Skull and Vertebral Column". Diagnostic Radiology and Ultrasonography of the Dog and Cat (5th ed.). Saunders. pp. 447–541. ISBN   978-1-4377-0150-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  8. Groell, R; Fleischmann, B (1999-03-01). "The pneumatic spaces of the temporal bone: relationship to the temporomandibular joint". Dentomaxillofacial Radiology. 28 (2): 69–72. doi:10.1038/sj/dmfr/4600414. ISSN   0250-832X. PMID   10522194 via DMFR.