Dr. Sakim Mansour - Temporal Region and Temporal Fossa

Overview

• Topic: Temporal Region, focusing on the Temporal Fossa.
• Temporal region: lateral area of the scalp.
• Review of scalp anatomy, boundaries, and bones involved in the temporal fossa.

Key Points

Temporal Region

• Lateral aspect of the scalp.
• Overlaps with the scalp region described earlier.
• Temporal fossa: area above the zygomatic arch.

Boundaries of the Temporal Fossa

• Superior and Inferior Temporal Lines:
  • Arise from the frontal bone's zygomatic process.
  • Superior temporal line fades on the parietal bone.
  • Inferior temporal line continues to the supra mastoid crest.
• Zygomatic Arch: discussed in detail in prior lecture on Norma Lateralis.

Floor of the Temporal Fossa

• Composed of four bones:
  • Frontal bone
  • Greater wing of the sphenoid
  • Temporal bone
  • Parietal bone
• These bones meet at the point called the pterion.
• Pterion significance: lies above the anterior branch of the middle meningeal artery and lateral sulcus of the brain.

Boundaries Overview

• Anteriorly: Frontal and Zygomatic bones.
• Laterally: Zygomatic arch.
• Medially: Infra-temporal crest.
• Inferiorly: Infra-temporal crest.
• Roof: Temporal fascia.

Important Structures

• Temporal Fascia: Tough fascia offering resistance against the masseter muscle's pull.
• Temporalis Muscle: Main content of the temporal fossa.
  • Muscle of mastication.
  • Triangular in shape.
  • Supplied by deep temporal nerves (of trigeminal system).
• Arteries: Middle temporal artery, Deep temporal arteries.
• Nerves: Deep temporal nerves, Zygomatic-temporal nerve.
• Other Contents: Zygomatic-temporal artery.

Additional Points

• Communication between temporal and infra-temporal fossae.
• Infra-temporal fossa: another important anatomical region to be discussed separately.
• Mentioned future topics: Muscles of mastication, Anterior triangle of the neck.

Summary

• Today’s focus was the temporal fossa, its anatomy, and boundaries.
• Discussed the structures present in the fossa and its clinical significance.
• Next topic will be on the anterior triangle of the neck.