Pterygopalatine Fossae Full Set Flashcards
What ganglion is in the pterygopalatine fossa?
The pterygopalatine fossa houses the parasympathetic ptergopalatine ganglion and serves as the crossroads for structures going to or from the following areas via the named ‘openings’:
The pteryogopalatine fossa communicates with the following area of the skull through which openings? What nerves and/or blood vessels travel through? infratemporal fossa? middle cranial fossa? base of the skull? Orbit? nasal cavity? oral cavity (palate)? Nasopharynx ?
infratemporal fossa - pterygomaxillary fissure (maxillary a.)
middle cranial fossa - foramen rotundum (Maxillary n)
base of the skull - pterygoid canal (n. of pterygoid canal – greater and deep petrosal nn; a. of pterygoid canal)
orbit - inferior orbital fissure (infraorbital n., zygomatic n., orbital branches of V2; infraorbital a., inferior opthalmic v)
nasal cavity - sphenopalatine foramen [NP-4,6] (nasal branches of nasopalatine n., V2; sphenopalatine a.)
oral cavity (palate) - greater palatine canal
nasopharynx - lesser palatine canal and pharyngeal canal
The pteryogopalatine fossa communicates to which area of the skull through the following openings?
inpterygomaxillary fissure (maxillary a.)
foramen rotundum (Maxillary n)
pterygoid canal (n. of pterygoid canal – greater and deep petrosal nn; a. of pterygoid canal)
inferior orbital fissure (infraorbital n., zygomatic n., orbital branches of V2; infraorbital a., inferior opthalmic v)
sphenopalatine foramen [NP-4,6] (nasal branches of nasopalatine n., V2; sphenopalatine a.)
greater palatine canal
lesser palatine canal and pharyngeal canal
infratemporal fossa - pterygomaxillary fissure (maxillary a.)
middle cranial fossa - foramen rotundum (Maxillary n)
base of the skull - pterygoid canal (n. of pterygoid canal – greater and deep petrosal nn; a. of pterygoid canal)
orbit - inferior orbital fissure (infraorbital n., zygomatic n., orbital branches of V2; infraorbital a., inferior opthalmic v)
nasal cavity - sphenopalatine foramen [NP-4,6] (nasal branches of nasopalatine n., V2; sphenopalatine a.)
oral cavity (palate) - greater palatine canal
nasopharynx - lesser palatine canal and pharyngeal canal
What blood vessels and nerves travel through the following openings?
infratemporal fossa - pterygomaxillary fissure? middle cranial fossa - foramen rotundum? base of the skull - pterygoid canal? orbit - inferior orbital fissure? nasal cavity - sphenopalatine foramen?
infratemporal fossa - pterygomaxillary fissure (maxillary a.)
middle cranial fossa - foramen rotundum (Maxillary n V2)
base of the skull - pterygoid canal (n. of pterygoid canal – greater and deep petrosal nn; a. of pterygoid canal)
orbit - inferior orbital fissure (infraorbital n., zygomatic n., orbital branches of V2; infraorbital a., inferior opthalmic v)
nasal cavity - sphenopalatine foramen [NP-4,6] (nasal branches of nasopalatine n., V2; sphenopalatine a.)
oral cavity (palate) - greater palatine canal
nasopharynx - lesser palatine canal and pharyngeal canal
What is the location of the Sphenopalatine Foramen?
on the medial wall of the pterygopalaitne fossa formed by a small notch in the upper part of the perpendicular plate of the palatine bone where it joins the sphenoid bone.
What does the maxillary artery supply?
It supplies the innermost structures of the nasal cavity and mouth.
What are the three main parts of the maxillary artery?
mandibular part
pterygoid part
pterygopalatine part
What does the artery pass through and what does it supply?
Posterior superior alveolar artery
enters openings in the maxillary tuberosity to supply posterior teeth, maxillary sinus & gums
What does the artery pass through and what does it supply?
Infraorbital artery
passes through the infraorbital septum to supply anterior teeth and gums before terminating on the face
The descending (sometimes greater) palatine artery gives what two branches?
Greater palatine artery
Lesser palatine artery
What does the artery pass through and what does it supply?
Greater palatine artery
Lesser palatine artery
Greater palatine artery – passes through the greater palatine canal to supply the hard palate
Lesser palatine artery - passes through the lesser palatine canal to supply the soft palate
What does the artery pass through and what does it supply?
Sphenopalatine artery
What branches does it give?
- passes through the sphenopalatine foramen to supply the posterior portions of the nasal cavity
Lateral posterior nasal arteries
Posterior septal branches
- Artery of the pterygoid canal and the pharyngeal artery are tiny branches that pass posteriorly
- Artery of the pterygoid canal and the pharyngeal artery are tiny branches that pass posteriorly
THE MAXILLARY NERVE (V2) is entirely sensory.
THE MAXILLARY NERVE (V2) is entirely sensory.
How does the maxillary nerve enter the pterygopalatine fossa?
through the foramen rotundum.
What two branches of the maxillary nerve V2 exit through the inferior orbital fissure?
zygomatic nerve
infraorbital nerve.
What branches of the maxillary nerve V2 pass through pterygopalatine ganglion? (Note these are also called the before they reach the ganglion they are called the “Ganglionic Branches”)
- greater and lesser palatine branches (same named canals)
- posterior superior/lateral nasal branches and the nasopalatine (sphenopalatine foramen)
- pharyngeal branches (pharyngeal canal)
What do the following sensory nerves innervate?
• greater and lesser palatine branches
• posterior superior nasal branches
• pharyngeal branches
• greater and lesser palatine branches to the hard and soft palates
• posterior superior nasal branches to the nasal cavity (medial & lateral) & nasopalatine
• pharyngeal branches to the upper pharynx
These branches supply general sensory fibers to their respective regions.
What para and sympa nerves does the travel with the nerve of the pterygoid canal?
parasympathetic greater petrosal nerve (PREganglionic)
sympathetic deep petrosal nerve (POSTganglionic)
What happens to the parasympathetic nerve fibers after the pterygopalatine ganglion?
postganglionic fibers hitchhike with V2 Maxillary nerve to
minor salivary glands of the hard and soft palate
glands of the nasal cavity
glands of the upper pharynx.
These have secretomotor function.
What are the major branches of the maxillary nerve?
zygomatic nerve infraorbital nerve. ganglionic branches greater and lesser palatine branches posterior superior nasal branches (medial & lateral) & nasopalatine pharyngeal branches
What is the course of para fibers that travel to the lacrimal gland?
main trunk of V2 to zygomatic and zygomaticotemporal branches to communicating branch to V1 opthalmic nerve to lacrimal branch of the ophthalmic nerve (V1).
NOSE
The nose is comprised of the:
external nose
nasal cavities (paired)
Pyramidal in shape, the external nose has a supporting skeleton comprised of:
osseous part
two nasal bones of the bridge articulate with the frontal bone at the root of the nose and the frontal processes f the maxillae.
Cartilaginous part
the midline septal cartilage extends bilaterally as the lateral nasal cartilages,
two U-shaped alar cartilages at the apex of the nose maintain patency of the nares: the opening on to the face
NOSE
The nose is comprised of the:
external nose
nasal cavities (paired)
Pyramidal in shape, the external nose has a supporting skeleton comprised of:
osseous part
two nasal bones of the bridge articulate with the frontal bone at the root of the nose and the frontal processes f the maxillae.
Cartilaginous part
the midline septal cartilage extends bilaterally as the lateral nasal cartilages,
two U-shaped alar cartilages at the apex of the nose maintain patency of the nares: the opening on to the face
What is the vestibule and the nasal fossa?
nasal cavities.
The vestibule has skin and vibrissae (coarse hairs that trap dust).
nasal fossae is medial aspect of the nose and has a respiratory area and a olfactory area.
The mucous membrane of the respiratory area is pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium that is highly vascular and contains abundant mucous and serous glands. This humidifies and warms incoming air and creates a sticky surface that traps and filters particulate matter.
Where do the cilia sweep nasal debris?
posteriorly into the nasopharynx.
What is the Olfactory Mucous membrane? (Long general answer)
The olfactory mucous membrane is limited to the roof and the upper portion of both the medial and lateral nasal walls of the fossae. It is less well vascularized and covered with noncilliated epithelium. Modified olfactory nerve cells form nerve fibers that traverse the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone to synapse in the olfactory bulb.
Explain the difference in air circulation between quiet breathing and smelling. (general answer)
During quiet respiration = inferior and middle conchae
Sniffing = inspired air toward the roof and permits the olfactory mucosa to recognize odors.