The deep temporal space is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed

fascia A fascia (; plural fasciae or fascias; adjective fascial; from Latin: "band") is a band or sheet of connective tissue, primarily collagen, beneath the skin that attaches to, stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles and other internal organ ...

l spaces or tissue spaces). It is a

potential space In anatomy, a potential space is a space between two adjacent structures that are normally pressed together (directly apposed). Many anatomic spaces are potential spaces, which means that they are potential rather than realized (with their realiz ...

in the side of the head, and is paired on either side. It is located deep to the

temporalis muscle In anatomy, the temporalis muscle, also known as the temporal muscle, is one of the muscles of mastication (chewing). It is a broad, fan-shaped convergent muscle on each side of the head that fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic ...

The inferior portion of the deep temporal space is also termed the

infratemporal space The Infratemporal space (also termed the infra-temporal space or the infra-temporal portion of the deep temporal space) is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space in th ...

. The deep temporal space is one of the four

compartment Compartment may refer to: Biology * Compartment (anatomy), a space of connective tissue between muscles * Compartment (chemistry), in which different parts of the same protein serves different functions * Compartment (development), fields of cells ...

s of the

masticator space Fascial spaces (also termed fascial tissue spaces or tissue spaces) are potential spaces that exist between the fasciae and underlying organs and other tissues. In health, these spaces do not exist; they are only created by pathology, e.g. the spre ...

, along with the

pterygomandibular space The pterygomandibular space is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space in the head and is paired on each side. It is located between the lateral pterygoid muscle and th ...

, the

submasseteric space The submasseterric space (also termed the masseteric space) is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space in the face over the angle of the jaw, and is paired on each side. ...

and the

superficial temporal space Superficial may refer to: *Superficial anatomy, is the study of the external features of the body * Superficiality, the discourses in philosophy regarding social relation *Superficial charm, the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick and ...

. The deep temporal space is separated from the pterygomandibular space by the

lateral pterygoid muscle The lateral pterygoid muscle (or external pterygoid muscle) is a muscle of mastication. It has two heads. It lies superior to the medial pterygoid muscle. It is supplied by pterygoid branches of the maxillary artery, and the lateral pterygoid ne ...

inferiorly and from the superficial temporal space by the temporalis muscle laterally. The deep temporal space and the superficial temporal space together make up the temporal spaces. Masticator space

Location and structure

Anatomic boundaries

The boundaries of the deep temporal space are: Superior: Superior and Inferior temporal lines Inferior: Infratemporal crest and Zygomatic arch

Communications

The communications of the deep temporal space are:

The contents of the deep temporal space are: Temporalis muscle

Clinical relevance

Odontogenic infection

References