The term "infratemporal crest" refers to a bony ridge located beneath the temple region of the skull. The correct spelling of this anatomical feature can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "in-fruh," with the "uh" vowel sound represented by the schwa symbol (ə). The second syllable is pronounced as "tem-puh-ruhl," with the "uh" and "uhl" sounds both being represented by the schwa symbol (ə). The final syllable, "crest," is pronounced as it is spelled.
The infratemporal crest is a bony ridge located on the inner surface of the skull, specifically in the region known as the infratemporal fossa, which is situated below the temporal bone. It is an anatomical landmark that serves as an important reference point for various structures and structures that are located or pass through this area.
The infratemporal crest runs horizontally along the inner surface of the skull, dividing the infratemporal fossa into two distinct regions. It begins anteriorly at the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, extends posteriorly up to the spine of the sphenoid, and rests just above the pterygoid hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate.
The crest serves as an attachment site for essential muscles and ligaments involved in the movement and functioning of the jaw and other structures in this region. It provides support for muscles such as the lateral pterygoid, medial pterygoid, and temporalis muscles, all of which play crucial roles in chewing and biting.
Furthermore, the infratemporal crest plays a role in guiding and protecting various neurovascular structures that traverse the infratemporal fossa. For example, the mandibular nerve (a branch of the trigeminal nerve) passes just above the crest, while the maxillary artery, one of the major blood vessels of the face, travels just below it. These structures are important for innervation and blood supply to the structures of the lower face and teeth.
In summary, the infratemporal crest is a bony ridge on the inner surface of the skull, serving as an attachment site for muscles involved in jaw movement and providing guidance and protection for neurovascular structures in the infratemporal fossa.
Pterygoid ridge, a rough line on the external surface of the great wing of the sphenoid, separating the temporal from the zygomatic fossa.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "infratemporal crest" consists of two main components: "infra-" and "temporal crest".
1. "Infra-" is a prefix derived from Latin, meaning "below" or "beneath". It is often used in scientific terminology to indicate a location or position that is below or beneath something else.
2. "Temporal" is an adjective derived from the Latin word "tempus", meaning "time". In anatomy, it refers to the temple or the area around the temple, which is above the zygomatic arch.
3. "Crest" derives from the Latin word "crista", meaning "ridge" or "crest". It is used in anatomical terminology to describe a prominent ridge or raised area on a bone or structure.