Pterygopalatine Fossa

Question 1

Maxillary nerve passes through what structure?

Answer 1

V2 passes thru foramen rotundum

Question 2

What structures pass thru the inferior orbital fissure?

Answer 2

Infraorbital n. and zygomatic n. of V2

Question 3

What structures exit via the sphenopalatine foramen? Where do they go? What branches are given off of them?

Answer 3

nasopalatine nerve, posterior lateral nasal nn, Sphenopalatine a passes thru to enter nasal cavity (gives of post. lat. nasal & post. septal brs)

Question 4

What structures are transmitted through the pterygoid canal?

Answer 4

Allows passage of
the vidian nerve (junction of deep T1/T2 carotid/greater petrosal- VII)
pterygoid branch of maxillary artery

Question 5

What structures are transmitted through the pterygomaxillary fissure?

Answer 5

Terminal brs of maxillary a enter here

Question 6

Where is the pharyngeal canal located relative to the pterygoid canal? What structures are passing thru the pharyngeal canal?

Answer 6

• 1 cm ant/med to pterygoid canal

- Transmits pharyngeal n (CN V2) & pharyngeal branch of maxillary a

Question 7

What is the relative location of the palatine canal within the palatine canal? And what structures pass thru it?

Answer 7

Runs vertically just lateral to perpendicular plate of palatine bone
Transmits greater & lesser palatine Nerves, descending palatine a

Question 8

What are the Parasympathetic innervation sources in the pterygopalatine fossa?

Answer 8

preganglionic parasympathetic fibers from Greater petrosal

Question 9

What is the Sympathetic innervation source within the pterygopalatine fossa?

Answer 9

postganglionic sympathetic fibers from deep petrosal originating from T1/T2

Question 10

What are the first 5 branches of maxillary a?

Answer 10

1. deep auricular a
2. ant. tympanic a.
3. Inferior alveolar a
4. middle meningeal a
5. accessory meningeal a (5&6 are opposite each other for the most part)

Question 11

Name branches 6-10 of the maxillary artery

Answer 11

6. masseteric a
7. posterior Deep temporal a.
8. and 8. medial & Lateral pterygoid aa.
9. Anterior deep temporal a
10. buccal a

Question 12

What are the 6 branches of maxillary artery after it enters the pterygopalatine fissure?

Answer 12

Descending Palatine a.
artery of pterygoid canal
Posterior superior alveolar a
pharyngeal a
sphenopalatine a
infraorbital (ant/mid superior alveolar)