Which artery passes through pterygopalatine fossa?
The maxillary artery
The maxillary artery supplies deep structures of the face including the mandible, pterygoid, infratemporal fossa and segments of the pterygopalatine fossa.
What is the clinical significance of the pterygopalatine fossa?
Because of its location and associated connections, the pterygopalatine fossa is often involved in the spread of tumours, infections, and inflammations caused by neoplastic diseases in the head and neck (such as juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, bacterial sinusitis, etc.).
What runs in pterygopalatine fossa?
Pterygoid and Pharyngeal Canals These two canals, along with the foramen rotundum, are the three openings in the posterior wall of the pterygopalatine fossa: Pterygoid canal – runs from the middle cranial fossa and through the medial pterygoid plate. It carries the nerve, artery and vein of the pterygoid canal.
Where is the pterygopalatine fossa found?
The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is a small, clinically inaccessible, fat-filled space located in the deep face that serves as a major neurovascular crossroad between the oral cavity, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, orbit, masticator space, and the middle cranial fossa.
How does maxillary artery enter pterygopalatine fossa?
It continues its path by running deeply to the lower head and passes forward between the two heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle to break into its terminal branches at the pterygopalatine fossa.
Which branch of external carotid artery enters pterygopalatine fossa?
maxillary artery
The maxillary artery, the larger of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery, arises behind the neck of the mandible, and is at first imbedded in the substance of the parotid gland; it passes forward between the ramus of the mandible and the sphenomandibular ligament, and then runs, either superficial …
Which nerve is located in pterygopalatine fossa?
the maxillary nerve
The pterygopalatine fossa also contains multiple important structures. This fossa contains the pterygopalatine ganglion. Nerve roots from the maxillary nerve suspend this ganglion. The PPF contains the terminal third segment of the maxillary artery.
What are the 3 parts of maxillary artery?
On its course, the maxillary artery provides a number of branches that supply many structures within the head and face. In relation to the lateral pterygoid muscle, the artery can be divided into three distinct segments (mandibular, pterygoid, pterygopalatine parts).
What goes to pterygopalatine ganglion?
The pterygopalatine ganglion gives rise to the following nerves: the nasopalatine nerve, the lesser palatine nerve, the greater palatine nerve, the posterior superior lateral nasal nerves, the posterior inferior lateral nasal nerves, and pharyngeal nerve.
What is pterygopalatine fossa?
The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is a cone-shaped depression deep to the infratemporal fossa and posterior to the maxilla on both sides of the skull. The fossa is located between the pterygoid process and the maxillary tuberosity, close to the orbital apex.
What is the function of the pterygopalatine ganglion?
The pterygopalatine ganglion is a parasympathetic nerve ganglion and one of four paired parasympathetic ganglia in your head. It sends out connections to the tear glands and mucous membranes of your mouth, throat, and nasal passages.
What comes off of pterygopalatine ganglion?
The pterygopalatine ganglion supplies the lacrimal gland, paranasal sinuses, glands of the mucosa of the nasal cavity and pharynx, the gingiva, and the mucous membrane and glands of the hard palate.
What nerve is pterygopalatine ganglion?
greater petrosal nerve
The pterygopalatine ganglion (aka Meckel’s ganglion, nasal ganglion, or sphenopalatine ganglion) is a parasympathetic ganglion found in the pterygopalatine fossa. It is largely innervated by the greater petrosal nerve (a branch of the facial nerve); and its axons project to the lacrimal glands and nasal mucosa.
What is the purpose of pterygopalatine ganglion?
What is the pterygopalatine fossa?
The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF), less commonly known as the sphenopalatine fossa, is a small but complex space of the deep face in the shape of an inverted pyramid located between the maxillary bone anteriorly, the pterygoid process posteriorly and inferior to the orbital apex.
Where are the foramen rotundum and pterygomaxillary fissure located?
The pterygomaxillary fissure is located between the anterior and posterior wall of the pterygopalatine fossa. It communicates with the infratemporal fossa and transmits the posterior superior alveolar nerve and the maxillary artery. The foramen rotundum is located on the posterior wall of the pterygopalatine fossa, superior to the pterygoid canal.
Where does the pterygopalatine fissure supply the maxillary nerve?
Pterygomaxillary Fissure. Posterior superior alveolar nerve – a branch of the maxillary nerve. It exits through the fissure into the infratemporal fossa, where it goes on to supply the maxillary molars. Terminal part of the maxillary artery – enters the pterygopalatine fossa via the fissure.
How does pterygopalatine fossa cancer spread to carotid artery?
A malignant tumor that has accessed the pterygopalatine fossa may reach the carotid canal of the skull base via perineural spread on the vidian nerve in the vidian canal. The medial connection between the pterygopalatine fossa & nose is the sphenopalatine foramen.