Pterygopalatine Fossa Flashcards
Describe the shape & boundaries of the PP fossa.
Inverted pyramid or tear drop:
ANT: surface of maxilla
MED: vertical plate of palatine
POST/ROOF: sphenoid (PT processes & GW)
LAT: PTM Fissure
Describe the communications to the PP fossa medially
MEDIALLY
Sphenopalatine Foramen (Palatine Vertical Plate): Connects lateral wall of nasal cavity posterior to middle concha
Decribe the communication to the PPF posteriorly.
POSTERIOLY
Foramen Rotundum (Sphenoid): Connects MCF & PPF and is a conduit for maxillary nerve (V2)
Pterygoid Canal (Sphenoid): Connects MCF & PPF; is a conduit for the N. of PT Canal.
**Pharyngeal Canal **(Sphenoid-Palatine): Connects nasopharynx and PPF; conduit for pharyngeal n. & vessels
Describe the communication of the PPF anteriorly.
SUPERIORLY-ANTERIORLY
**Inferior Orbital Fissure **(Sphenoid-Maxilla): Connects the orbit to the PPF; conduit for branches of maxillary a. & n.
Infraorbital Groove/Canal (Maxilla & Sinus): Connects the orbit to the face; conduit for infraorbital n. & a.
Describe the communication of the PPF inferiorly.
INFERIORLY
Palatine Canal (junction of all three): connects hard palate and soft palate to PPF; conduit for greater/lesser palatine
Name the branches of the maxillary artery in the PPF.
- Artery of Pterygoid Canal
- Pharyngeal A.
- Posterior Superior Alveolar A.
- Infraorbital A.
- Sphenopalatine
- Descending Palatine
Describe the pharyngeal branch.
Pharyngeal A. - passes through the pharyngeal canal with the pharyngeal branch of the maxillary nerve. It distributes to the roof of the pharynx (nasopharynx), sphenoid sinus, and auditory tube.
Describe the artery of PT Canal
Artery of Pterygoid Canal - passes posteriorly through the pterygoid canal next to the nerve (of the same name). It distributes to the upper pharynx and auditory tube.
Describe the posterior superior alveolar artery.
Posterior Superior Alveolar A. - arises as maxillary a. enters PP fossa. Together with the like-named nerve it passes through the posterior superior alveolar foramen on the infratemporal surface of the maxilla. It supplies molar and premolar teeth and adjacent gingiva of the upper jaw. Other branches of this artery distribute to maxillary sinus and the buccinator muscle.
Infraorbital A. - exits orbit via IO fissure, enters infraorbital canal gives of middle and anterior superior alveolar branches, then exits maxilla through infraorbital foramen.
Sphenopalatine - enters nasal cavity via sphenopalatine foramen, gives off lateral branches and continues along roof of nasal cavity and along septum. Anastomoses with greater palatine artery in incisive canal.
Descending Palatine - splits off of sphenoplatine and dives into palatine canal, where it splits into greater and lesser palatine arteries to supply the hard and soft palate, respectively.
Describe the infraorbital a.
Describe the sphenopalatine a. & descending palatine a.
Sphenopalatine - enters nasal cavity via sphenopalatine foramen, gives off lateral branches and continues along roof of nasal cavity and along septum. Anastomoses with greater palatine artery in incisive canal.
Descending Palatine - splits off of sphenoplatine and dives into palatine canal, where it splits into greater and lesser palatine arteries to supply the hard and soft palate, respectively.
List the branches of the maxillary n. (V2)
- Orbital
- Zygomatic (zygomaticotemporal & zygomaticofacial)
- Infraorbital
- Posterior Superior Alveolar
- Pharyngeal
- Lateral Nasal Branches
- Nasopalatine
- Greater & Lesser Palatine
Describe the superior dental plexus and what is responsible for sensation of teeth.
Posterior SA - Back 3
Middle SA - Middle 2
Anterior SA - Front 3
Explain the GVE innervation that travels with maxillary n.
See notes - CN VII & Pterygopalatine Ganglion
