Pterygopalatine

What is the shape and general location of the pterygopalatine fossa?

It’s shaped like an inverted trapezoidal prism and located posterior to the maxilla, deep within the face.

What forms the anterior boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa?

The posterior surface of the maxilla.

What forms the posterior boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa?

The pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone.

What bone forms the medial boundary?

The perpendicular plate of the palatine bone.

What forms the lateral boundary?

It opens laterally into the pterygomaxillary fissure.

What forms the roof and floor of the pterygopalatine fossa?

Roof: Infratemporal surface of the greater wing of the sphenoid (incomplete due to inferior orbital fissure). Floor: Pyramidal process of the palatine bone (with opening into palatine canal).

How does the pterygopalatine fossa communicate with the middle cranial fossa?

Through the foramen rotundum (transmits maxillary nerve - CN V2) and through the pterygoid canal (transmits nerve and artery of the pterygoid canal).

What opening connects the PPF to the infratemporal fossa?

The pterygomaxillary fissure. Transmits the posterior superior alveolar nerve and artery, and maxillary artery.

How does it connect with the nasal cavity?

Through the sphenopalatine foramen, which transmits the sphenopalatine artery and vein, and nasopalatine nerve.

How does the PPF communicate with the orbit?

Via the inferior orbital fissure: Transmits the infraorbital nerve, artery & vein, and zygomatic branch of CN V2.

What connects the PPF with the pharynx?

The palatovaginal canal, which transmits the pharyngeal nerve and artery.

How does the PPF connect to the palate?

Through the palatine canal, which transmits the greater and lesser palatine nerves and arteries.

Name the three key contents of the pterygopalatine fossa.

1. Terminal part of the maxillary artery and its branches 2. Maxillary nerve (CN V2) 3. Pterygopalatine ganglion

What is the final branch of the maxillary artery in the PPF?

The sphenopalatine artery, which supplies the nasal cavity via septal and lateral nasal branches.

What artery descends through the palatine canal and what does it divide into?

The descending palatine artery, divides into: Greater palatine artery (hard palate), Lesser palatine artery (soft palate).

What artery exits through the pterygomaxillary fissure and what does it supply?

The posterior superior alveolar artery – supplies maxillary sinus, molars/premolars, and gingiva.

What does the pharyngeal artery supply?

Roof of nasal cavity, sphenoidal sinus, pharynx, and pharyngotympanic tube.

What does the artery of the pterygoid canal supply?

The tympanic cavity, pharynx, and pharyngotympanic tube.

What does the infraorbital artery supply?

Inferior oblique and rectus muscles, Lacrimal sac, canines/incisors, infraorbital skin, and maxillary sinus mucosa.

What are the 8 branches of the maxillary nerve (CN V2) in the PPF?

1. Zygomatic nerve (→ zygomaticofacial, zygomaticotemporal) 2. Posterior superior alveolar nerve 3. Infraorbital nerve 4. Nasopalatine nerve 5. Pharyngeal nerve 6. Greater palatine nerve 7. Lesser palatine nerve 8. Orbital branches (minor)

What does the zygomatic nerve supply?

Zygomaticofacial → skin of zygomatic bone. Zygomaticotemporal → skin of temple.

What does the posterior superior alveolar nerve supply?

Maxillary sinus, molar teeth, and adjacent gingivae.

What does the infraorbital nerve supply?

Mucosa of maxillary sinus, Premolars, canines, incisors, Inferior eyelid, lateral nose, upper lip skin, nasal septum.

What does the nasopalatine nerve supply?

Nasal septum and anterior hard palate via the incisive canal.

What do the greater and lesser palatine nerves supply?

Greater palatine nerve: hard palate & gingivae. Lesser palatine nerve: soft palate.

What forms the nerve of the pterygoid canal?

Union of: Greater petrosal nerve (parasymp. from CN VII) and Deep petrosal nerve (symp. from internal carotid plexus).

Where do parasympathetic fibers synapse in the PPF?

In the pterygopalatine ganglion.

Do sympathetic fibers synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion?

No — they pass through without synapsing and hitchhike with branches of CN V2.

Which structures are supplied by postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic fibers leaving the PPF?

Lacrimal gland, Nasal mucosa, Palatal glands (via branches of CN V2).