Pterygopalatine fossa

Question 1

Boundaries

Answer 1

Pterygoid process of sphenoid
Perpendicular plate of palatine bone
Posterior wall of maxilla
Pterygoaxillary fissure

Question 2

Openings what what they transmit?

Answer 2

Fo. rotundum - V2
Sphenopalatine fo. - nasopalatine nerve, post nasal nerves.
Infraorbital canal - infraorbital nerve
Pterygomaxillary fissure - posterior superior alveolar nerves.

Question 3

Contents

Answer 3

Maxillary division of trigeminal (V2)
Pterygopalatine ganglion
3rd part of maxillary artery

Question 4

Describe the branching of the maxillary nerve in the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 4

Enters the fossa through fo. rotundum.
Sends sensory branches to pterygopalatine ganglion in the fossa.
Leaves the fossa through infraorbital canal as the infraorbital nerve.
In the fossa zygomatic nerve and posterior superior alveolar nerves given off.
The infraorbital nerve gives of middle and superior alveolar nerves.

Question 5

What are the branches of the 3rd part of the maxillary artery?

Answer 5

Correspond to the branching of the maxillary nerve in the pterygopalatine fossa.
Posterior superior alveolar artery
Infraorbital artery
Sphenopalatine artery

Question 6

What are the incoming fibres of the pterygopalatine ganglion?

Answer 6

Parasympathetic roots - from nerve to pterygoid canal to lacrimal glands
Sympathetic roots - greater petrosal nerve from internal carotid artery.
Sensory root - directly from V2

Question 7

What are the outgoing fibres of pterygopalatine ganglion?

Answer 7

Lesser and greater palatine nerves (to soft and hard palate respectively)
Nasopalatine nerve - through sphenopalatien fo. to nasal septum
Pharyngeal nerve - sphenoidal air sinus
Posterior nasal nerves - to lateral wall of nasal cavity