The masticator space is the bilateral deep facial space bounded by the masseter laterally, the medial pterygoid medially, the mandibular ramus posterolaterally, and the pterygomandibular raphe anteriorly. It contains the masseteric and pterygoid muscles, the mandibular ramus and condyle, the inferior alveolar nerve and artery, and the lingual nerve. It communicates with the parapharyngeal space medially.
| Location | Side of the face around the ramus of the mandible, extending up beneath the zygomatic arch to the temporal fossa |
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Encloses the muscles of chewing and the ramus. Infection from lower molars spreading here causes trismus (inability to open the mouth).
The masticator space is commonly involved in odontogenic infections from lower molar teeth, producing trismus from medial pterygoid inflammation. Ludwig angina extends from the submandibular space into the masticator space. Masticator space infections spread to the parapharyngeal space and may threaten the airway. CT characterises the infection extent and guides surgical drainage through an extraoral approach. Masticator space tumours include primary masseteric hypertrophy and benign masseteric tumours. Perineural invasion along the inferior alveolar nerve (V3) from skin or oral cancer tracks into this space.
Periapical abscess of a lower wisdom tooth penetrating the medial pterygoid fascia enters the masticator space, producing trismus from pterygoid spasm, ipsilateral jaw pain, and swelling at the mandibular ramus; CT demonstrates the gas-containing collection and extraoral incision with drain placement decompresses the space.
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