eRadiograph Volume 7: Imaging of Oral Cavity | Page 194

Anatomy and Extent
The masticator space is separated from the adjacent neck spaces by the superficial
cervical fascia. It lies posterior to the buccal space,
anterior to parotid space,
anterolateral to the parapharyngeal space,
superior to the submandibular and sublingual spaces, and
inferior to the skull base.
Craniocaudally it extends from the high parietal calvarium where the temporalis
muscle attaches, to the mandibular angle inferiorly. Medially it extends to the
pterygoid muscles and laterally to the temporals muscle. The foramen ovale and
spinosium at the base of the skull communicate with this space. This space is divided
into medial and lateral compartments by the ramus of the mandible.
Contents
The masticator space contains four muscles of mastication i.e.:
Masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoid.
The bony structures in the space are the:
Ramus, posterior body of mandible, coronoid process, condylar process and the
temporomandibular joint.
The vascular structures in this space are:
The internal maxillary artery and ptyergoid venous plexus.

The parotid duct runs along the anterior surface of the masseter muscle before
piercing the buccinator muscle and opening into the oral cavity.
Accessory parotid tissue may extend anteriorly along the master and along the path
of the parotid duct.

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Masticator Space

The neural structures in this space are the:
Mandibular (V3) branch of the trigeminal nerve, masticator branch innervating the
muscles of mastication, mylohyoid branch innervating mylohyoid and anterior belly of
the digastric, inferior alveolar innervating the mandible and chin, lingual providing
sensory innervation to anterior two-thirds of the tongue and floor of mouth,
auriculotemporal nerve which provides sensory innervation to external auditory canal
and temporomandibular joint.