Corpus: Temporal fossa

The temporal fossa is a broad depression on the lateral surface of the skull of domestic mammals.

The temporal fossa is a concave depression on the side of the skull, in which the temporalis muscle originates over a wide area. After a tapering course, the muscle inserts into the coronoid process of the mandible.

The temporal fossa is formed medially and above the zygomatic arch by the following bones:

• the temporal bone (temporal bone),
• the Os parietale (parietal bone) and in carnivores and horses additionally
• the ala ossis basisphenoidalis.
• Except in ruminants, the occipital squama also participates in the formation of the temporal fossa with a narrow caudal region.

The temporal fossa merges freely into the orbit below the upper edge of the orbit, whereas in humans it is bony closed towards the temporal fossa.

• Nickel, Richard, August Schummer, Eugen Seiferle. Volume I: Musculoskeletal system. Textbook of the anatomy of domestic animals. Parey, 2004