Palate and PPF Flashcards
what is the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF)
A. The PPF is a bony space located deeply within the skull; it is located postero-inferiorly to the apex of the orbit, posterior to the maxillary sinus, and deep (medial to) the infratemporal region.
the PPF contains what?
multiple nerves, arteries and veins.
parasympathetic ganglion called the pterygopalatine ganglion
what is transantral access to the PPF
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why is it utilized
Transantral access to PPF. The PPF can be accessed via the maxillary sinus. The upper lip is elevated and the maxillary sinus is entered anteriorly. This approach can be utilized to remove tumors from the PPF or to ligate a sphenopalatine artery in cases of chronic epistaxis (nose bleeding).
what are the general contents of the PPF (3)
- Maxillary artery – third (pterygopalatine) portion
- Maxillary branch of trigeminal nerve (V2)
- Pterygopalatine ganglion
what are the boundaries of the pterygopalatine fossa
lateral superior anterior medial inferior posterior
A. Lateral – pteygomaxillary fissure
B. Superior – greater wing of sphenoid bone- no foramen
-separates PPF from middle cranial fossa
C. Anterior – maxilla
it separates the PPF from the maxillary sinus and orbital floor.
D. Medial – palatine bone
E. Inferior – open via pterygopalatine canal
F. Posterior – pterygoid process of sphenoid bone
what are the openings of the PPF (7)
pterygomaxillary fissure inferior orbital fissure sphenopalatine foramen pterygopalatine foramen rotundum pterygoid canal pharyngeal canal
pterygomaxillary fissure
where in relation to PPF
communicates with what
transmits what
- Lateral
- Communicates with infratemporal fossa
- Transmits – maxillary a.; posterior superior alveolar a.v.n
inferior orbital fissure
anterior to PPF
communicates with orbit
transmits infraorbital a, v, n
zygomatic a,v, n
sphenopalatine foramen
- Medial
- Communicates with nasal cavity
- Transmits
– sphenopalatine a.
nasopalatine n.;
post sup lateral nasal n.
pterygopalatine canal
- Inferior
- Communicates with palate and oral cavity
- Transmits – descending palatine a.
; greater and lesser palatine nn.
foramen rotundum
- Posterior
- Lateral-most of the three posterior openings
- Communicates with middle cranial fossa
- Transmits – V2
pterygoid canal
- Posterior
- Middle of the three posterior openings
- Communicates with middle cranial fossa near foramen lacerum (opens in the foramen lacerum)
- Transmits – nerve and artery of pterygoid canal
pharyngeal canal
- Posterior
- Medial-most of the three posterior openings
- Communicates with nasopharynx
- Transmits – pharyngeal a.v.n.
the posterior wall of the PPF is formed by the sphenoid bone. what are the three foramen which are in this area
foramen rotundum (most lateral)
pterygoid canal (middle)
pharyngeal canal (most medial)
where does the third portion of the maxillary artery enter the PPF
through the pterygomaxillary fissure
what are the 6 branches off the pterygopalatine portion of maxillary artery
posterior superior alveolar infraorbital descending palatine artery of pterygoid canal pharyngeal artery sphenopalatine artery
posterior superior alveolar
enters what foramen
supplies what
- Enters un-named foramen on maxillary bone.
2. Supplies maxillary teeth and gingiva and maxillary sinus
infraorbital artery
exits PPF via what
courses where
exits where
supplies what?
what are its 5 branches
- Exits the PPF anteriorly via the inferior orbital fissure.
- Courses through the floor of orbit in the infraorbital canal
- Exits to face via infraorbital foramen
- Supplies floor of orbit, maxillary sinus, maxillary teeth, and the skin of the face via the following branches:
a. Zygomatic artery
b. Middle superior alveolar a.
c. Anterior superior alveolar a.
d. Nasal branches
e. Superior labial branches
descending palatine artery
exits PPF where?
supplies what?
what are its two main branches?
- Exits the PPF inferiorly via the pterygopalatine canal.
- Supplies the palate, nasal cavity, and palatine tonsil via the following branches:
a. Greater palatine a.
b. Lesser palatine a.
artery of the pterygoid canal
exits PPF where
supplies what?
- Exits the PPF posteriorly via the pterygoid canal.
2. Supplies nasopharynx, auditory tube, tympanic cavity.
pharyngeal artery
exits PPF where
and travels through what?
supplies what?
- Exits the PPF posteriorly via the pharyngeal canal.
- Pharyngeal canal courses through the medial wall of the sphenoid sinus to open into the nasopharynx.
- Supplies nasopharynx, sphenoid sinus, and auditory tube.
sphenopalatine artery
exits ppf where?
supplies what?
- Exits the PPF medially via the sphenopalatine foramen
2. Supplies nasal cavity
where does V2 exits the middle cranial fossa and where is it headed
- V2 exits the middle cranial fossa via the foramen rotundum to enter the PPF.
what components is V2 carrying and to where
GSA to the middle dermatome of the face, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, maxillary teeth
what does V2 distribute
parasympathetic innervation from the pterygopalatine ganglion
what are the 11 branches off V2
meningeal branch to dura of middle cranial fossa
zygomatic
posterior superior alveolar n.
infraorbital
pterygopalatine nn’s (suspend from V2)
greater palatine
lesser palatine
posterior superior lateral nasal
pharyngeal
N. of pterygoid canal
Nasopalatine
zygomatic nerve of V2
exits PPF where?
courses through to what
what are its branches and what are these branches supplying ?
how is it related to autonomic innervation?
- Exits PPF anteriorly via the inferior orbital fissure.
- Courses through floor and lateral wall of the orbit and then divides into the following two nerves which supply GSA innervation to the face:
a. Zygomaticofacial n.
b. Zygomaticotemporal n. - Gives rise to communicating branch to lacrimal nerve of V1
- NOTE: Route for autonomic fibers to the lacrimal gland.
posterior superior alveolar nerve
courses where from PPF?
supplies what?
- Enters un-named foramen on maxillary bone.
2. Supplies maxillary teeth and gingiva and maxillary sinus
infraorbital nerve
exits PPF where?
courses where?
supplies what?
what are its 4 branches?
- Exits PPF anteriorly via the inferior orbital fissure.
- Courses through floor of orbit in infraorbital canal and exits to face via infraorbital foramen.
- Supplies floor of orbit, maxillary sinus, maxillary teeth, skin of face via:
a. Middle and anterior superior alveolar n.
b. Inferior palpebral nn.
c. External nasal branches
d. Superior labial branches
pterygopalatine nerve s
2 of these are suspended from the pterygopalatine ganglion to V2
carry parasympathetic nerves to pterygopalatine ganglion (sensory roots)