Anatomical variability of the lateral pterygoid plate and its influence on the dimensions of infratemporal fossa in human skulls

The lateral pterygoid plate is a key landmark within the infratemporal fossa, and its morphological variations influence surgical access to the foramen ovale. This study evaluated the morphometry of lateral pterygoid plate and its spatial relationships in 60 dry skulls. The specimens of skull were categorized into direct, lateral, removed, and medial types. Measurements included five sectional breadths, height, distances from lateral to the medial pterygoid plate, the anterior tubercle, and degree of lateral deflection. The specimens of skull classified as medial type had significant greater mid-to-proximal breadth and height of lateral pterygoid plate. Increased distal breadth correlated with reduced lateral pterygoid plate-articular tubercle distance in the specimens of skull classified as removed and lateral types, with a moderate and strong inverse correlation in both groups. These specimens of skull also showed a narrower infratemporal space due to lateral positioning of the lateral pterygoid plate, despite no significant increase in breadth or height. The specimens of skull classified as removed type remained to be obstructive due to the added shortcoming of a deficient posterior border of lateral pterygoid plate. These findings highlight that the lateral pterygoid plate significantly affects the dimensions of the infratemporal fossa. Since the lateral and removed types of the lateral pterygoid plate are found in nearly half of the individuals, clinicians should be aware of these variations when accessing the foramen ovale during trigeminal neuralgia interventions.