Pterygopalatine fossa Flashcards
Boundaries
Pterygoid process of the sphenoid.
Perpendicular plate of palatine.
Posterior aspect of maxilla.
Pterygomaxillary fissure.
What does fo. rotundum transmit?
V2
What does the pterygoid canal transmit?
Nerves of ptergoid canal
What does the sphenopalatine fo. transmit?
Nasopalatine nerve and pharyngeal nerve
What does the infraorbital canal transmit?
Infraorbital nerve and artery
Contents
V2
Pterygopalatine ganglion
3rd part of maxillary artery
Describe the branching of V2 in the fossa
In via fo. rotundum
Gives zygomatic and posterior superior alveolar nerve.
Leaves fossa as infraorbital nerve through infraorbital canal.
Infraorbital nerve branches into middle and anterior superior alveolar nerve
From which CN nuclei do the parasympathetic fibres of pterygopalatine ganglion originate?
Superior salivary nucleus (VII)
What is the pre-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres of pterygopalatine ganglion?
Greater petrosal never (branch of VII) and nerve fo pterygoid canal
What is the route of the post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres of ptergopalatine ganglion?
Hitchhiking along maxillary nerve to lacrimal gland, palate, nose and pharynx
How does the sympathetic fibre reach the pterygopalatine ganglion?
Through deep petrosal nerve and nerve to pterygoid canal
What are the targets of the pterygopalatine ganglion?
Pharynx, nose, lacrimal gland, palate
Describe the route of the sensory fibres of the ganglion?
From the targets through he ganglion to join V2
What are the branches of distribution (post-ganglionic fibres) and where do they innervate?
Nasopalatine nerve - anterior superior buccal gingiva
Posterior superior nasal nerves - to the nose
Greater palatine nerve - to the hard palate (posterior super buccal gingiva)
Lesser palatine nerve - to the soft palate
Pharyngeal nerve - sphenoidal air sinus and pharynx
Describe the branching of the maxillary artery in the fossa
Sphenopalatine artery
Infraorbital artery
Posterior, middle, anterior superior alveolar nerve
