Following a subtotal petrosectomy, proceeding with drilling more anteromedially along the glenoid fossa and exposure of the pterygopalatine fossa, parasellar region, and nasopharynx. At the end of this approach, temporal muscle is transposed in the cavity rather than fat obliteration and a “blind sac” closure of the external auditory canal is carried out.

An infratemporal fossa “type C” approach is mainly carried out for pathologies on the neighboring regions surrounding the nasopharynx, such as advanced nasopharyngeal angiofibroma or radiotherapy-failed nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The left side of a cadaver, including the base of the skull, has been dissected to present the infratemporal fossa “type C” approach comprehensively. The important anatomical structures have been exposed and dyed for illustrative purposes. The figure displays a general view of the surgical site at a stage where the pterygoid processes are intact.

C: Cochlea

FN: Facial nerve

HSC: Horizontal semicircular canal

ICA: Internal carotid artery

MCF: Middle cranial fossa (dural plate)

MMA: Middle meningeal artery

MN: Mandibular nerve

PSC: Posterior semicircular canal

PTM: Pterygoid muscles

PTP: Pterygoid process

SS: Sigmoid sinus

SSC: Superior semicircular canal