Pterygopalatine Fossa

Question 1

Describe the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 1

It is a bilateral, cone-shaped depression extending deep from theinfratemporalfossa to the nasal cavity via the sphenopalatine foramen.

Question 2

The ptetygopalatine fossa is known as what

Answer 2

the majorneurovascular crossroadbetween theorbit, thenasal cavity, the nasopharynx, theoral cavity, theinfratemporal fossa, and the cranial fossa.

Question 3

Walls of pterygopalatine fossa are formed by

Answer 3

Maxilla
Sphenoid
Palatine

Question 4

Borders of pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 4

Anterior: Posterior surface of maxilla

Posterior: Roof of pterygoid process and ant surface of greater wing of sphenoid

Inferior: Pyramidal process of Palatine bone in the angle between maxilla and pterygoid process

Superior: Inferior orbital fissure of the eye.

Medial: Perpendicular plate of the palatine bone

Lateral: Pterygomaxillary fissure

Question 5

Contents of pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 5

maxillary nerve and it’s branches-ganglionic,zygomatic,sup posterior alveolar.

pterygopalatine ganglion

terminal part of the maxillary artery

Question 6

Communications of pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 6

Anteriorly: With the orbit through the medial end of the inferior orbital fissure .

Posteriorly
1 Middle cranial fossa through the foramen rotundum.
2 Foramen lacerum through the pterygoid canal.
3 Pharynx through the palatinovaginal canal.

Medially: With the nose through sphenopalatine foramen.

Laterally: With the infratemporal fossa through the pterygomaxillary fissure.

Inferiorly: With the oral cavity through the greater and
lesser palatine canals.

Question 7

Clinical correlates

Answer 7

Hay fever

Question 8

Hay fever

Answer 8

The pterygopalatine ganglion, if irritated or infected, causes congestion of the glands of palate and nose including the lacrimal gland producing running nose and lacrimation.