A TRIDIMENSIONAL STUDY USING CUTS AT A LOW-TEMPERATURE OF THE INFRATEMPORAL REGION

Although the infratemporal region is well defined anatomically, its co mplex topography has been the subject of numerous, and sometimes, oppo site works. That is the reason why it appeared necessary for the autho rs to re-evaluate this topic using the original method of Combelles an d Boyer, allowing to define three referential planes, and thereby, a t ridimensional shape and the volume of this region. This study allows t o conclude that the infratemporal :region is a triangular prism with a n horizontal main axis 47 mm long. Its anterior base has a mean area o f 733 mm(2). The posterior top consists of the Juvara slot and has a m ean area of 490 mm(2). This infratemporal prism contains another one, the pterygomandibular space, prismatic too. It widens out from coronoi d plane (93 mm(2)) to mandibular foramen plane (169 mm(2)) before endi ng as a narrow groove between the neck of the mandibular condyle and t he interpterygoid fascia. The volume of the pterygomandibular space is quite superior to the value usually reported in the dental literature . It is of 4.8 ml to 5.8 ml according to denture. These results point out the opportunity to accomodate more important volumes of anesthesic solutions, than the 1.8 ml usually performed, without any leak out of the infratemporal region.