The temporal fossa is a depressed area located on either side of the skull in the temporal region superior to the zygomatic arch and the infratemporal fossa and inferior to the temporal lines of the parietal bone.

Walls

Bones and structures forming the walls of the temporal fossa are:

Medial wall - temporal (external) surface of the squamous part of the frontal bone, temporal (external) surface of the parietal bone, temporal surface of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, and the temporal surface of the squamous part of the temporal bone;
Anterior wall - temporal (external) surface of the squamous part of the frontal bone, temporal surface of the zygomatic bone;
Lateral wall - zygomatic arch (formed by the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and temporal process of the zygomatic bone).
Inferior wall - connects with the infratemporal fossa.

Borders

The borders of the temporal fossa are defined by the following anatomical structures or landmarks:

Superior border - superior temporal line (parietal bone);
Posterior border - superior temporal line;
Inferior border - zygomatic arch;
Anterior border - frontal process of the zygomatic bone and the zygomatic process of the frontal bone.

Contents

The temporal fossa is mostly occupied by the temporalis muscle.

Besides this muscle, it also contains:

Nerves - zygomaticotemporal nerve, deep temporal nerves, temporal branch of the facial nerve, auriculotemporal nerve;
Blood vessels - deep temporal arteries, superficial temporal artery, superficial temporal vein.

Openings

The temporal fossa presents one opening, as the temporal surface of the zygomatic bone near the frontal process contains an opening called the zygomaticotemporal foramen. It transmits the zygomaticotemporal nerve (a branch of the zygomatic nerve, which arises from the maxillary nerve (CN V2)), which passes from the orbit to the temporal fossa.

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Temporal fossa