Pterygopalatine Fossa

Pterygopalatine fossa

• A small pyramidal space inferior to the apex of the orbit and medial to infratemporal fossa

• A small space between the posterior surface of the maxilla and the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone

Rounded posterior aspect of the maxilla

Anterior boundary of pterygopalatine fossa

Pterygoid process of sphenoid bone

Posterior boundary of pterygopalatine fossa

Perpendicular plate of palatine bone

Medial boundary of pterygopalatine fossa

Pterygomaxillary fissure

Lateral boundary of pterygopalatine fossa

Infratemporal surface of the greater wing of sphenoid

Superior boundary of pterygopalatine fossa

Pyramidal process of palatine bone

Inferior boundary of pterygopalatine fossa

Orbit

Anteriorly, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the _____ via the medial end of inferior orbital fissure

Medial end of inferior orbital fissure

Anteriorly, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the orbit via _____

Middle cranial fossa, foramen lacerum, pharynx

Posteriorly, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the _____ via foramen rotundum, _____ via pterygoid canal, _____ via pharyngeal canal

Foramen rotundum, pterygoid canal, pharyngeal canal

Posteriorly, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the middle cranial fossa via _____, foramen lacerum via _____, and pharynx _____

Nose

Medially, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the _____ via sphenopalatine foramen

Sphenopalatine foramen

Medially, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the nose via _____

Infratemporal fossa

Laterally, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the _____ via pterygomaxillary fissure

Pterygomaxillary fissure

Laterally, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the infratemporal fossa via _____

Oral cavity

Inferiorly, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the _____ via greater and lesser palatine canal

Greater and lesser palatine canal

Inferiorly, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the oral cavity via _____

Lateral pterygoid

Which muscle divides the maxillary artery into 3 parts?

Maxillary artery

• Main arterial supply to the infratemporal fossa

• Largest terminal branch of the external carotid artery

In front of stylomandibular ligament along lower border of lateral pterygoid

Location of 1st part of maxillary a.

Deep to lateral pterygoid muscle up to pterygomaxillary fissure

Location of 2nd part of maxillary a.

Enters pterygomaxillary fissure into pterygopalatine fossa

Location of 3rd part of maxillary a.

• Posterior superior alveolar

• Infraorbital

• Greater palatine

• Sphenopalatine

• Pharyngeal

• Artery of pterygoid canal

Branches of the 3rd part of the maxillary a.

Maxillary nerve

• Sensory nerve

• Runs anteriorly through the foramen rotundum

• Gives off the zygomatic nerve

  • Zygomaticofacial

  • Zygomaticotemporal

• Also gives off 2 ganglionic branches to the pterygopalatine ganglion

Inferior orbital fissure ; infraorbital nerve

The maxillary nerve leaves the pterygopalatine fossa through the _____ and becomes the _____

Pterygopalatine ganglion

• Parasympathetic ganglion

• One of the four parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck

Greater petrosal nerve

Carries parasympathetic fibers to the pterygopalatine ganglion

Deep petrosal nerve

Carries sympathetic fibers to the pterygopalatine ganglion

Vidian nerve

• Nerve of the pterygoid canal

• Junction of greater petrosal nerve and deep petrosal nerve

Vidian artery

• Artery of the pterygoid canal

• Can arise from the ICA or ECA

• Passes through vidian canal

• Synapse in pterygopalatine ganglion

Vidian canal

The vidian artery passes through the _____

Maxillary nerve

Structure that pass through foramen rotundum

Posterior superior alveolar nerve, Terminal part of maxillary artery

Structures that pass through pterygomaxillary fissure

Epistaxis

Term for nosebleeding

Hay fever ganglion (Pterygopalatine ganglion)

Irritation of this leads to runny nose

Greater palatine nerve

Maxillary nerve block anesthetizes _____