DOSUMU O.O

Introduction

➢A small space behind and below the orbital cavity.

➢An inverted 'tear-drop' shaped space between bones on the lateral side of the skull immediately posterior to the maxilla.

Skeletal framework The walls of the pterygopalatine fossa are formed by parts of the palatine,

maxilla, and sphenoid bones:

• Anterior wall - posterior surface of the maxilla;

• Medial wall - lateral surface of the palatine bone;

• Posterior wall and Roof - parts of the sphenoid bone.

communicationsAlthough small in size, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates via fissures and foramina in its walls:

Middle cranial fossa via foramen rotundum and pterygoid canal

Nasopharynx – pterygovaginal canal

Infratemporal fossa – pterygomaxillary fissure

Floor of the orbit – inferior orbital fissure

Lateral wall of the nasal cavity – sphenopalatine foramen

Oral cavity (hard palate) – palatine canal

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Contents

The pterygopalatine fossa houses many

important neurovascular structures. Among these

are the:

maxillary nerve [V2]

pterygopalatine ganglion

terminal part of the maxillary artery

veins, as well as their associated branches.

Maxillary Nerve (V2)

▪ Purely sensory

▪ Originates from the trigeminal

ganglion in the cranial cavity

▪ Enters the pterygopalatine fossa

thru foramen rotundum

▪ Exits as the infra-orbital nerve thru

inferior orbital fissure

▪ Gives sensory fibers to the skin of

the face and the side of the nose.

At the pterygopalatine

fossa, the maxillary nerve

(V2) gives rise to:

the zygomatic nerve,

the posterior superior

alveolar nerve,

two ganglionic branches,

Its main trunk however,

continues into the inferior

orbital fissure as the

infraorbital nerve.

Within the fossa, the maxillary nerve is attached to

the pterygopalatine ganglion by two ganglionic

branches.

Branches

More anteriorly

posterior superior

alveolar nerves are

given off.

Pass through the

pterygopalatine

maxillary fissure into

the infratemporal

fossa.

Here they divide into numerous small branches

• Enter the maxilla through the posterior alveolar foramina Supply the upper molar teeth, the mucous membrane on the buccal

surface of the associated alveolar process and the lining of the maxillary

sinus.

Anesthesia

of the upper

molar teeth

and

associated

buccal

mucosa can

be achieved

by a

posterior

superior

alveolar

block.

As the maxillary nerve is

about to enter the inferior

orbital fissure it gives rise

to the zygomatic nerve;

divides into:

Zygomaticotemporalbranch passing into

temporal fossa to supply

skin of the temple

Zygomaticofacial nerve

supplies skin over the

prominence of cheek.