Pterygopalatine fossa (dave's notes) Flashcards
Describe the pterygopalatine fossa
A small space between the back of the maxilla and the front of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid.
What does the pterygopalatine fossa communicate with? Via what?
The infratemporal fossa through the pterygomaxillary fissure
What is the posterior boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa? What does this contain?
The sphenoid bone. This contains the pterygoid canal.
What is the medial boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa?
The palatine bone
What is the anterior boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa?
The posterior wall of the maxilla
What is the roof of the pterygopalatine fossa?
The body of the sphenoid
What happens to a wire passed through the pterygomaxillary fissure?
It passes across the pterygopalatine fossa to the nose through the sphenopalatine foramen
How may a wire passed from the middle cranial fossa enter the pterygopalatine fossa?
From behind, via the foramen rotundum
Where does a wire passed through the foramen lace rum entree?
Below and medial to the foramen rotundum
How may a wire enter the pterygopalatine fossa from below?
Via the greater or lesser palatine foramen
What happens to a wire passed through the palatovaginal canal? (how else is this canal known?). What follows this course?
A wire passed through the palatovaginal canal (roof of the nose) passes forwards in the fossa (course of the pharyngeal branch of the pterygopalatine ganglion).
List the contents of the pterygopalatine fossa
Maxillary vessels Maxillary nerve (CN Vb) Pterygopalatine ganglion (branches to nose, palate)
Describe the relations of the maxillary nerve within the pterygopalatine fossa. How does it enter the fossa? What does it give off first?
Gives a meningeal branch to the front of the medial cranial fossa then passes through the foramen rotundum into the pterygopalatine fossa. Here it deviates laterally entering into the infraorbital groove (to become the infraorbital nerve supplying skin on the face.
What nerve also arises in the pterygopalatine fossa?
The zygomatic nerve. This also passes through the fissure to enter the orbit.
What is connected to the pterygopalatine ganglion?
The maxillary nerve.