How Do You Spell INFRATEMPORAL FOSSA?

Pronunciation: [ˌɪnfɹətˈɛmpəɹə͡l fˈɒsə] (IPA)

The term "infratemporal fossa" describes a space located beneath the temporal bone of the skull. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word can help clarify its spelling. The word is pronounced as /ˌɪnfrəˈtɛmpərəl ˈfɒsə/ with emphasis on the second syllable of "infratemporal" and the first syllable of "fossa." The "in" at the beginning of the word is followed by "fr" to create a consonant cluster, while the "a" at the end of "fossa" is pronounced as "uh." Proper spelling of this term is essential for medical professionals.

INFRATEMPORAL FOSSA Meaning and Definition

1. The infratemporal fossa is a term used in anatomy to describe a small cavity or space located below the temporal bone of the skull. It is positioned between the back of the maxilla bone (upper jawbone) and the styloid process, a bony projection at the base of the skull.

   Within the infratemporal fossa, various structures can be found, including muscles, blood vessels, and nerves that play essential roles in the function and movement of the jaw and lower face. These structures include the temporalis muscle, which aids in jaw movement during chewing, the pterygoid muscles, which are involved in jaw opening and closing, and the mandibular nerve, a major branch of the trigeminal nerve that provides sensory innervation to the lower teeth and gums.

   Moreover, additional structures within the infratemporal fossa include blood vessels like the maxillary artery, which supplies oxygenated blood to the surrounding tissues, and the pterygoid plexus, a network of veins that assists in venous drainage.

   The infratemporal fossa also serves as a channel for the passage of important structures, such as the chorda tympani nerve, a branch of the facial nerve that carries taste sensations from the front two-thirds of the tongue. Additionally, the fossa contains the otic ganglion, a cluster of nerve cell bodies involved in innervating the parotid gland, which is responsible for salivation.

   Overall, the infratemporal fossa is an anatomical space beneath the temporal bone that accommodates various vital structures involved in jaw movement, sensory innervation, blood supply, and salivation in the lower part of the face.

2. Zygomatic fossa.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for INFRATEMPORAL FOSSA

• innfratemporalfossa
• infratempoaralfossa
• infratemporealfossa
• i nfratemporal fossa
• in fratemporal fossa
• inf ratemporal fossa
• infr atemporal fossa
• infra temporal fossa
• infrat emporal fossa
• infrate mporal fossa
• infratempo ral fossa
• infratempor al fossa
• infratempora l fossa
• infratemporal f ossa
• infratemporal fo ssa
• infratemporal fos sa
• infratemporal foss a

Etymology of INFRATEMPORAL FOSSA

The word "infratemporal fossa" can be broken down into two parts: "infra" and "temporal fossa".

The term "infra" comes from the Latin word "infra", which means "below" or "beneath".

The word "temporal" is derived from the Latin word "tempus", meaning "temple" or "the side of the head".

"Fossa" also comes from Latin, referring to a depression, trench, or hollow.

Combined, "infratemporal fossa" refers to the anatomical space located below the temporal fossa on the side of the head.

Similar spelling word for INFRATEMPORAL FOSSA

• infratemporal fossae.