Pterygopalatine Fossa Notes
This credit goes to “Navydent” A blogger at: http://dentallecnotes.blogspot.com/2012/03/note-on-pterygopalatine-fossa.html A NOTE ON PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA
PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA
The pterygopalatine fossa— A small, pyramid-shaped space. Situated between the maxilla, sphenoid, and palatine bones. It communicates via canals, fissures, and foramina with various regions of the skull. The contents of the pterygopalatine fossa include The terminal portion of the maxillary artery; The pterygopalatine ganglion; The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve; and branches of these structures.
Maxillary Artery
The third, or pterygopalatine portion, of the maxillary artery enters the pterygopalatine fossa from the infratemporal fossa via the pterygomaxillary fissure | Maxillary artery and its distribution in the deep face |
Branches of the pterygopalatine portion of the maxillary artery are the posterosuperior alveolar, infraorbital, greater palatine, pharyngeal, and sphenopalatine arteries as well as the artery of the pterygoid canal.
The posterior superior alveolar artery branches from the maxillary artery as that vessel enters the pterygomaxillary fissure. It travels on the maxillary tuberosity and enters the posterior superior alveolar foramen accompanied by the like-named nerve. The vessel ramifies within the maxilla to vascularize the maxillary sinus, molars, and premolars as well as the neighboring gingiva.
The infraorbital artery, a continuation of the maxillary artery, enters the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure, lies in the infraorbital groove, leaves the orbit via the infraorbital canal, and enters the face by way of the infraorbital foramen. Branches of the infraorbital artery are the orbital branches, serving the lacrimal gland and the inferior oblique and inferior rectus muscles; the anterior superior alveolar
PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA
The pterygopalatine fossa— A small, pyramid-shaped space. Situated between the maxilla, sphenoid, and palatine bones. It communicates via canals, fissures, and foramina with various regions of the skull. The contents of the pterygopalatine fossa include The terminal portion of the maxillary artery; The pterygopalatine ganglion; The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve; and branches of these structures.
Maxillary Artery
The third, or pterygopalatine portion, of the maxillary artery enters the pterygopalatine fossa from the infratemporal fossa via the pterygomaxillary fissure | Maxillary artery and its distribution in the deep face |
Branches of the pterygopalatine portion of the maxillary artery are the posterosuperior alveolar, infraorbital, greater palatine, pharyngeal, and sphenopalatine arteries as well as the artery of the pterygoid canal.
The posterior superior alveolar artery branches from the maxillary artery as that vessel enters the pterygomaxillary fissure. It travels on the maxillary tuberosity and enters the posterior superior alveolar foramen accompanied by the like-named nerve. The vessel ramifies within the maxilla to vascularize the maxillary sinus, molars, and premolars as well as the neighboring gingiva.
The infraorbital artery, a continuation of the maxillary artery, enters the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure, lies in the infraorbital groove, leaves the orbit via the infraorbital canal, and enters the face by way of the infraorbital foramen. Branches of the infraorbital artery are the orbital branches, serving the lacrimal gland and the inferior oblique and inferior rectus muscles; the anterior superior alveolar