What are the Masticator spaces?
The masticator space contains the mastication muscles, posterior mandible, and mandibular nerve [3, 4]. Figure 1 shows that the four mastication muscles are the medial and lateral pterygoids, masseter, and temporalis [3, 4].
Where is the Masticator space located?
The masticator space is situated laterally to the medial pterygoid fascia and medially to the masseter muscle. It is bounded by the sphenoid bone, the posterior aspect of the mandible, and the zygomatic arch. It lies inferiorly to the temporal space and is anterolateral to the parapharyngeal space.
What are Pterygoids?
The pterygoid muscles are two of the four muscles of mastication, located in the infratemporal fossa of the skull. These muscles are: lateral pterygoid and medial pterygoid. The primary function of the pterygoid muscles is to produce movements of the mandible at the temporomandibular joint.
What is Masticator space infection?
Masticator space abscess represents an advanced stage of a commonly odontogenic infection indicated by buccal pain, swelling and trismus3). Jaw swelling and trismus after a dental procedure are the typical clinical manifestations of a masticator space abscess in adults4,5).
What is in the pterygomandibular space?
Of particular importance to local anaesthesia, the pterygomandibular space contains the IAN, artery and vein, the lingual nerve (LN), the nerve to mylohyoid, the sphenomandibular ligament and fascia (Fig 1).
Which of the following spaces is not part of the Masticator space?
Which of the following structures are NOT included in the masticator space? -The buccinator muscle is a muscle of facial expression and NOT a muscle of mastication and is NOT included in the masticator space.
Why is it called pterygoid muscle?
The lateral pterygoid muscle (or external pterygoid muscle) is a muscle of mastication….
| Lateral pterygoid muscle | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Superior head: infratemporal surface of sphenoid bone. Inferior head: lateral pterygoid plate |
How do you drain a Masticator space infection?
The abscess is drained via a horizontal incision 2.0 to 2.5 cm below the lower border of the mandible. A subplatysmal flap is raised and the masseter muscle is breached to expose the abscess through the pterygomasseteric sling13. Drainage will be performed under local or general anesthesia.
What is Pterygomandibular space?
The pterygomandibular space is the inferomedial subcompartment of the masticator space located between the mandible and pterygoid muscles.