Pterygopalatine Fossa

Question 1

what is “the ganglion of hayfever”

Answer 1

the pterygopalatine ganglion

Question 2

what occurs during hayfever

Answer 2

acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa, dilated blood vessels, nasal glands secrete mucous, lacrimal gland produces tears

Question 3

Give the 5 points which describe where the pterygopalatine fossa is located

Answer 3

• beneath the apex of the orbital cone
• anterior to the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone
• posterior to the maxilla
• medial to the infratemporal fossa
• lateral to the postern-superior part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity

Question 4

Give the 4 features that the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with

Answer 4

• the orbit
• the middle cranial fossa
• the infra temporal fossa
• the nasal cavity

Question 5

How does the pterygopalatine fossa communicate with the orbit?

Answer 5

via the inferior orbital fissure ANTERIORLY

Question 6

How does the pterygopalatine fossa communicate with the middle cranial fossa?

Answer 6

via the foramen rotundum & the pterygoid canal POSTERIORLY

Question 7

How does the pterygopalatine fossa communicate with the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 7

via the pterygomaxillary fissure LATERALLY

Question 8

How does the pterygopalatine fossa communicate with the nasal cavity?

Answer 8

via the sphenopalatine foramen MEDIALLY

Question 9

where is the sphenopalatine foramen found?

Answer 9

at the posterior aspect of the superior nasal meatus on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity, between the body of sphenoid and the perpendicular plate of the palatine bone

Question 10

What 3 things are contained within the pterygopalatine fossa?

Answer 10

• terminal 1/3rd of maxillary artery
• CNV2
• pterygopalatine ganglion

Question 11

Give the branches of the 3rd part of the maxillary artery, which is found within the prterygopalatine fossa

Answer 11

sphenopalatine, descending palatine, infra temporal–superior alveolar (posterior, middle and anterior parts)

Question 12

what branches come from the descending palatine artery?

Answer 12

greater and lesser palatine arteries

Question 13

What nerve (and branch) gives somatic sensory innervation to the antero-superior section of the nasal cavity?

Answer 13

CNV1 - anterior ethmoidal branch of nasocillary

Question 14

What nerve (and branches) gives somatic sensory innervation to the postern-inferior section of the nasal cavity?

Answer 14

CNV2 - nasopalatine nerve and greater palatine nerve

Question 15

what does the nasopalatine nerve always travel with?

Answer 15

sphenopalatine artery

Question 16

name the ganglion found within the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 16

pterygopalatine ganglion

Question 17

what sort of of post-ganglionic secretomotor fibres do the branches of CNV2 have?.

Answer 17

sympathetic; AND parasympathetic; post-ganglionic secretomotor fibres

Question 18

where have the sympathetic; and parasympathetic; post-ganglionic secretomotor fibres synapse?

Answer 18

in the pterygopalatine ganglion

Question 19

what are the 5 branches of the maxillary nerve from the pterygopalatine ganglion?

Answer 19

• Lateral nasal
• nasopalatine
• greater palatine
• lesser palatine
• nerve of pterygoid canal

Question 20

what are the 2 branches of the the nerve of the pterygoid canal and give the fibre types?

Answer 20

• greater petrosal nerve = parasympathetic fibres from CNVII

- deep petrosal nerve = sympathetic fibres from carotid plexus

Question 21

what does the lateral nasal nerve innervate?

Answer 21

mucous membranes of lateral wall of nasal cavity

Question 22

what does the nasopalatine nerve innervate?

Answer 22

the nasal septum

Question 23

what does the greater palatine nerve innervate?

Answer 23

hard palate

Question 24

what does the lesser palatine nerve innervate?

Answer 24

soft palate

Question 25

what type of fibres does the zygomatic nerve take to the lacrimal gland?

Answer 25

parasympathetic secretomotor fibres from CN VII