{"id":2040,"date":"2020-08-31T09:23:11","date_gmt":"2020-08-31T09:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/head-and-neck\/head\/regions\/pterygopalatine-fossa\/"},"modified":"2022-02-12T11:26:37","modified_gmt":"2022-02-12T09:26:37","slug":"pterygopalatine-fossa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/skull-head-and-neck\/head\/fossae-and-spaces\/pterygopalatine-fossa\/","title":{"rendered":"Pterygopalatine fossa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The pterygopalatine fossa is a small, paired, pyramidal bony space in the skull.<\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Figure 1. The pterygopalatine fossa (in purple)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Description<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

The pterygopalatine fossa is a pyramidal-shaped area on each side just poste\u00adrior to the upper jaw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • It serves as a passageway for many nerves and vessels from the major components of the viscerocranium.<\/li>
  • It extends posteriorly, between the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone and anteriorly, to the rounded posterior aspect of the maxilla. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

    Borders<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
    Anterior<\/strong><\/td>The posterior surface of the maxilla<\/td><\/tr>
    Posterior<\/strong> <\/td>The pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone<\/td><\/tr>
    Lateral<\/strong> <\/td>Opens to the infratemporal fossa<\/td><\/tr>
    Medial<\/strong> <\/td>Perpendicular plate of the palatine bone<\/td><\/tr>
    Superior<\/strong> <\/td>Body of the sphenoid bone<\/td><\/tr>
    Inferior <\/strong><\/td>Pyramidal process of the palatine bone<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
    Table 1. Borders of the pterygopalatine fossa<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

    Contents<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
    1. The third part of the maxillary artery (pterygopalatine part)<\/li>
    2. Maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V2)<\/li>
    3. Pterygopalatine ganglion<\/li>
    4. Blood vessel network and loose connective tissue (adipose tissue)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

      Communications<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

      The pterygopalatine fossa communicates with the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Orbit<\/strong>. Through the inferior orbital fissure<\/li>
      2. Infratemporal fossa<\/strong>. Through the pterygomaxillary fissure<\/li>
      3. Oral cavity<\/strong>. Through the greater and lesser palatine canals<\/li>
      4. Pharynx<\/strong>. Through the pharyngeal\/palatovaginal canal<\/li>
      5. Nasal cavity<\/strong>. Through the sphenopalatine foramen<\/li>
      6. Middle cranial cavity<\/strong>. Through the pterygoid canal (foramen lacerum) and foramen rotundum<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

        Structural relationships<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n<\/span>\n

        Maxillary artery<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

        The maxillary artery originates from the external carotid artery. The terminal portion of the maxillary artery moves medially via the pterygomaxillary fissure to reach the pterygopalatine fossa (from where it receives its name), where it separates into the following branches:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        • The phenopalatine artery: goes to the nasal cavity,<\/li>
        • The descending palatine artery: goes to the hard and soft palates,<\/li>
        • The infraorbital artery: goes to the lacrimal gland, and some muscles of the eye,<\/li>
        • The posterior superior alveolar artery: goes to the gingiva and the teeth,<\/li>
        • The phenopalatine and greater palatine arteries: anastomoses at the nasal septum.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          The pterygopalatine portion of the maxillary artery, place anterior to the pterygopalatine ganglion where guides branches that accompany all nerves entering and exiting the fossa.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

          Maxillary nerve<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

          The maxillary nerve originates from the trigeminal nerve (CN2). It is the second branch of this cranial nerve. It reaches the pterygopalatine fossa from the middle cranial fossa by using the foramen rotundum as a passageway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          • The pterygopalatine nerves, branches of the maxillary nerve, communicate and hold the pterygopalatine ganglion within the pterygopalatine fossa.<\/li>
          • The fibers of the pterygopalatine nerve pass through the pterygopalatine ganglion without making synapses to innervate the palate, and pharynx, and nose.<\/li>
          • Through the infraorbital fissure, the main branch of the maxillary nerve leaves the pterygopalatine fossa through the infraorbital foramen, reaching the infraorbital canal (maxilla), until finally gets to the surface to contribute to the sensory innervation of the face.<\/li>
          • The maxillary nerve gives off several branches in the pterygopalatine fossa:
            • Infraorbital nerve<\/li>
            • Zygomatic nerve<\/li>
            • Nasopalatine nerve<\/li>
            • Superior alveolar nerve<\/li>
            • Pharyngeal nerve<\/li>
            • Greater and lesser palatine nerves<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

              Pterygopalatine ganglion<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

              The pterygopalatine ganglion locates in the pterygopalatine fossa, close to the sphenopalatine foramen, and it represents the largest parasympathetic ganglia in the head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              It relates to branches of the maxillary nerve and is formed by cells associated with preganglionic parasympathetic fibers of the facial nerve. Other characteristics of interest of this ganglion are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              • It receives innervation from the greater petrosal branch of the facial nerve.<\/li>
              • Postsynaptic parasympathetic fibers originated from the ganglion (along with those post\u00adganglionic sympathetic fibers passing through), distribute with branches of the maxillary nerve.<\/li>
              • These fibers form orbital, palatine, nasal and pharyngeal branches, that leave the ganglion to provide parasympathetic innervation to the lacrimal gland, mucosal glands of the oral cavity, pharynx, and nose. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

                Foramina <\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

                Several openings connect the pterygopalatine fossa (allowing the transport of blood vessels and nerves) with other regions, such as the middle cranial fossa and infratemporal fossa, as well as, the orbit, nasal and oral cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

                Sphenopalatine foramen<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

                The sphenopalatine foramen is one of the most important regions related to the Pterygopalatine fossa. It connects the pterygopalatine fossa to the nasal cavity, and it serves as a route for nerves and vessels to transit the nasal cavity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                • It is located superior to the middle nasal concha in the posterolateral wall of the superior nasal meatus. <\/li>
                • The sphenopalatine notch of the palatine bone and the body of the sphenoid bone forms the sphenopalatine foramen. <\/li>
                • The most important structures passing through this foramen are:
                  • The nasopalatine branch and the superior nasal branches of the maxillary nerve<\/li>
                  • The sphenopalatine branch of the maxillary artery and its homolog vein.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

                    Pterygomaxillary fissure<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

                    Located in the medial region of the temporal fossa, the pterygomaxillary fissure is formed by the maxilla, sphenoid and palatine bones. It communicates the pterygopalatine fossa with the infratemporal fossa. The main neurovascular structures that circulate the pterygomaxillary fissure are the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    • The posterosuperior alveolar nerve, a branch of the maxillary division of the trigeminal. It reaches the infratemporal fossa from the pterygomaxillary fissure to supply the maxillary molars. <\/li>
                    • The terminal portion of the maxillary artery. It exits the pterygomaxillary fissure to reach the pterygopalatine fossa. <\/li>
                    • A merge of veins from the pterygopalatine fossa passes laterally via the pterygomaxillary fissure to reach the infratemporal fossa and join the pterygoid plexus of veins. <\/li>
                    • Terminal branches of the maxillary artery. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

                      Foramen rotundum<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

                      The foramen rotundum relates with the pterygopalatine fossa by connecting it with the middle cranial fossa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      It is a rounded foramen projecting in an anterior direction that serves as the passageway for the maxillary nerve to get into the pterygopalatine fossa.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

                      Inferior orbital fissure<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

                      The inferior orbital fissure is located between the sphenoid and maxilla bones and connects the orbit with the pterygopalatine fossa. Represents the superior boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      The following structures pass by this fissure:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      • Zygomatic nerve<\/li>
                      • Infraorbital nerve, artery, and vein<\/li>
                      • Orbital branches of the maxillary nerve<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

                        Pterygoid and pharyngeal canals<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

                        The pterygoid canal is a bony channel that goes through the root of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone to the pterygopalatine fossa (anteriorly). It continues posteriorly to reach the middle cranial fossa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        The pterygoid canal contains the nerve, artery, and vein of the pterygoid canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        The pharyngeal canal<\/strong>, also known as the palatovaginal canal, is a small region located where the sphenoidal process of palatine bone and the vaginal process of the body of the sphenoid bone articulate. It communicates the nasopharynx with the pterygopalatine fossa. It transports the pharyngeal branches of the maxillary nerve and artery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Both canals, along with the foramen rotundum<\/strong>, are the three openings located in the posterior wall of the pterygopalatine fossa. <\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

                        Greater palatine canal<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

                        The greater palatine canal is formed by a groove in the palatine bone closed by an articulation with the maxilla. It represents the inferior boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa and connects it with the oral cavity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        This canal serves as a passageway for the descending palatine artery and vein, the greater palatine nerve, and the lesser palatine nerve.<\/p>\n<\/span>

                        Description<\/h3>

                        Borders<\/h3>

                        Contents<\/h3>

                        Communications<\/h3>

                        Structural relationships<\/h3>

                        Maxillary artery<\/h4>

                        Maxillary nerve<\/h4>

                        Pterygopalatine ganglion<\/h4>

                        Foramina <\/h3>

                        Sphenopalatine foramen<\/h4>

                        Pterygomaxillary fissure<\/h4>

                        Foramen rotundum<\/h4>

                        Inferior orbital fissure<\/h4>

                        Pterygoid and pharyngeal canals<\/h4>

                        Greater palatine canal<\/h4><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                        Description The pterygopalatine fossa is a pyramidal-shaped area on each side just poste\u00adrior to the upper jaw. It serves as a passageway for many nerves and vessels from the major components of the viscerocranium. It extends posteriorly, between the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone and anteriorly, to the rounded posterior aspect of the maxilla. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":2123,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2040","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nPterygopalatine fossa – Meddists<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/skull-head-and-neck\/head\/fossae-and-spaces\/pterygopalatine-fossa\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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