CHAPTER 10

PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA

Overview and Topographic Anatomy

Borders and Openings

Contents of the Pterygopalatine Fossa

Imaging

Questions

Overview and Topographic Anatomy

GENERAL INFORMATION

Pyramid-shaped fossa on the lateral aspect of the skull between the maxilla’s infratemporal surface and the pterygoid process of the sphenoid

Contains major nerves and blood vessels that supply the nasal cavity, upper jaw, hard palate, and soft palate: the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve, pterygopalatine (sphenopalatine, Meckel’s) ganglion, and 3rd portion of the maxillary artery

Allows the infratemporal fossa, middle cranial fossa, foramen lacerum, nasopharynx, nasal cavity, orbital cavity, and oral cavity to communicate

7 foramina/fissures allow passage of nerves and vessels

Borders and Openings

BORDERS

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