Submasseteric space
Location of the masseter muscles. The submasseteric space is between the masseter and the mandible.
The four compartents of the right masticator space.A Temporalis muscle,B Masseter muscle,C Lateral pterygoid muscle,D Medial ptaerygoid muscle,E Superficial temporal space,F Deep temporal space,G Submasseteric space,H Pterygomandibular space,I Approximate location of infratemporal space
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Thesubmasseterric space (also termed themasseteric space) is afascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termedfascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is apotential space in the face over the angle of the jaw, and is paired on each side. It is located between the lateral aspect of the mandible and the medial aspect of themasseter muscle and itsinvesting fascia. The term is derived fromsub- meaning "under" in Latin andmasseteric which refers to the masseter muscle. The submasseteric space is one of the fourcompartments of themasticator space.^[1] Sometimes the submasseteric space is described as a series of spaces, created because the masseter muscle has multiple insertions that cover most of the lateral surface of theramus of the mandible.

The boundaries of each submasseteric space are:

• the anterior margin of the masseter muscle anteriorly,
• theparotid gland posteriorly,^[1]
• the zygomatic arch superiorly,^[1]
• the inferior border of the mandible inferiorly,^[1]
• the lateral surface of the mandibular ramus medially (the submasseteric space is superficial to the mandible),^[1]
• the masseter muscle laterally (the submasseteric space is deep to masseter).^[1]

The communications of each submasseteric space are:

• to thebuccal space anteriorly,
• to thepterygomandibular space (around the posterior margin of the mandibular ramus to its medial surface) and theparotid space posteriorly,
• to thesuperficial temporal space superiorly.

In health, the space contains:

• themasseteric artery and vein.^[1]

Submasseteric abscesses are relatively rare, and may be confused with aparotid abscess orparotitis.^[2] They tend to be chronic.^[3] The submasseteric space may be involved by infections that spread from the buccal space.^[1] Sometimesmandibular fractures in the region of the angle of the mandible may cause an infection of the submasseteric space.^[1] The signs and symptoms of a submasseteric abscess may include markedtrismus (i.e. difficulty opening the mouth, since the masseter elevates the mandible and it becomes restricted) and swelling in the region of the masseter muscle.^[1] The treatment of a submasseteric space infection is usually by surgicalincision and drainage, and the incision is placed intra-orally (inside the mouth) or both intra and extra-orally if other parts of the masticator space are involved.

The submasseteric space is sometimes involved by the spread ofodontogenic infections, such as apericoronal abscess associated with animpactedmandibular third molar (lower wisdom tooth) when the apices of the tooth lie very close to or within the space.^[4]

• 
  Diagram showing lateral surface of the mandible and the area of insertion of the masseter muscle on the mandibular ramus.
• 
  The left masseter muscle (red highlight), shown partially covered by superficial muscles such as theplatysma muscle, thezygomaticus major muscle and thezygomaticus minor muscle

• Fascial spaces of the head and neck
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Mouth

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