Relationship of the neurovascular structures of the infratemporal fossae in black Zimbabweans: A cadaveric study

Abstract

The Maxillary Artery (MA) is known to vary in its relationship to lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) and its relationship to inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and lingual nerve (LN). The variation poses surgical challenges and complications in anesthetic injection. This cadaveric study sought to describe the anatomy of the inferior alveolar nerve, lingual nerve and maxillary artery in infratemporal fossa and its associated variations. Thirty hemi- sections from 15 male cadavers were used. Dissection of the infratemporal fossae was done to expose the MA, LPM, IAN and LN. The relationship of MA to LPM was noted, roots of IAN were noted and relationship of structures were scrutinized. Pictures were taken for further analysis. Out of 30 hemi-sections, dissected 43.3% had a medial relationship to LPM while 56.7% of MA had a lateral relationship. Three (20%) of the cadavers showed asymmetry whereby MA passed on the medial side of LPM on one side while the other side it passed on the lateral aspect. Most of the hemi- sections (86.7%) had IAN originating with one (1) root, 3 hemi-sections (10%) with two roots and one (3.3%) with three roots. Only one hemi-section showed presence of a communicating branch between IAN and LN. The variations in MA in this population displays patterns comparable to other populations. There was high prevalence of MA passing lateral to LPM, which is consistent with studies done elsewhere. There were variations of IAN originating with multiple roots and presence of communicating branch between IAN and LN, which was consistent with case reports in literature.