Pterygopalatine Fossa

Pterygopalatine
Fossa
Pterygopalatine Fossa
• The pterygopalatine fossa is a small, open
space where the maxilla, sphenoid, and
palatine bones approximate each other.
• pyramid-shaped space
• It is a place where nerves, ganglia, and vessels

converge to communictate with other regions
of the skull.
Objectives
• Outline the bony walls.
• Know the communications.
• Study the contents.

Boundaries
Refreshing Questions
1. What is the shape of the
pterygopalatine fossa?
a. Cuboid.
b. Rectangular.
c. Pyramidal.
d. Circular.
Refreshing Questions
2. Which structure forms the anterior wall
of the pterygopalatine fossa?
a. Pterygoid process of sphenoid.

b. Posterior surface of maxilla.
c. Perpendicular plate of palatine bone.
d. Pyramidal process of the palatine
bone.
Communications
Contents
• Maxillary nerve
• Pterygopalatine / sphenopalatine
ganglion
• Third part of the maxillary artery

Maxillary Nerve
• Origin
• Course
• Termination
• Branches
Origin
• The maxillary nerve is the second
division of the trigeminal nerve.
• It is purely sensory
• It arises from the

trigeminal ganglion
Course
• Runs forwards in the lateral wall of the
cavernous sinus
• leaves the middle cranial fossa by passing
through the foramen rotundum
• Next, the nerve crosses the upper part

of pterygopalatine fossa
Termination
• maxillary nerve enters the orbit through
the inferior orbital fissure
• runs into the infraorbital groove where it

continues as the infraorbital nerve in the
infraorbital canal
• it finally appears on
the face through the
infraorbital foramen.
Branches
• In the middle cranial fossa: meningeal branch
• In pterygopalatine fossa: 3 branches
• As Infraorbital nerve: gives 2 branches then
terminates in 3 branches
1. Meningeal branch
It arises from the maxillary nerve before
it leaves the foramen rotundum to supply
the Dura mater of the middle cranial
fossa.
In Ptergopalatine Fossa
1. Ganglionic Branches
they are 2 in number, descend to the sphenopalatine
ganglionc arrying sensory fibers to it
2. Zygomatic nerve
it divides into two terminal branches, the
zygomaticofacial and zygomaticotemporal nerves which
supply the skin of the bony cheek and of the anterior
part of the temple .
3. Posterior superior alveolar nerve
supplies the three upper molar teeth and the adjoining
part of the gum.
As Infraorbital Nerve
• It is the continuation of the maxillary nerve.
• It gives :
- middle superior alveolar
- anterior superior alveolar
• It emerges through infraorbital foramen and

gives:
- Palpebral
- Nasal
- Labial
Test Yourself
Cutaneous distribution
Infraorbital Nerve Block
Pterygopalatine Ganglion
• It is a parasympathetic ganglion situated in the
pterygopalatine fossa and supplies the glands.
• It receives the following afferent fibers:

1. Sensory fibers from maxillary nerve.
2. Sympathetic fibers from the deep petrosal nerve
3. Parasympathetic secretory fibers from the
greater petrosal.
Nerve of pterygoid canal?
• It is formed by the junction of the greater
petrosal nerve and deep petrosal nerve
through the pterygoid canal.
let's Distribute!
Efferent branches
1. Orbital branches which pass through the
inferior orbital fissure to supply the orbital
periosteum and the lacrimal gland.
2. Long and short sphehopalatine nerves, to the
nose.
3. Greater and lesser palatine nerves, to the
palate.
4. Pharyngeal branch which passes backwards
through the palatinovaginal canal
What are the Branches of Maxillary
Nerve?
Maxillary Artery
Maxillary Artery
• Origin
• Course
• Termination
• Branches
Maxillary Artery
This is the larger terminal branch of the
external carotid artery, given off behind the
neck of the mandible.
Course
• The first part runs horizontally forwards between the
neck of the mandible and the sphenomandibular
ligament and then along the lower border of
the lateral pterygoid.
• The second part runs upwards and forwards

superficial to the lower head of the lateral pterygoid.
• The third part passes between the

two heads of the lateral pterygoid and through the
pterygomaxillary fissure, to enter the pterygopalatine
fossa.
Branches
• First part:
1- middle meningeal
2- Accessory meningeal
3- Inferior alveolar artery
4- Anterior Tympanic
5- Deep auricular
Branches of the 2nd Part
• Muscular Branches to:
1- Muscles of mastication
2- Buccinator
Branches of 3rd Part
1- pharyngeal artery
2- artery of pterygoid canal
3- posterior superior alveolar
4-Greater palatine
5- sphenopalatine
And continues as infraorbital artery that gives
anterior superior alveolar artery.
Refreshing question
• Which is not a branch of the third part of
maxillary artery?
a. Masseteric artery.
b. Artery of pterygoid canal.
c. Pharyngeal artery.
d. Sphenopalatine artery.

Pterygopalatine Fossa

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Pterygopalatine

• It is a place where nerves, ganglia, and vessels

• Know the communications.

• Study the contents.

a. Pterygoid process of sphenoid.

• Third part of the maxillary artery

• It arises from the

• Next, the nerve crosses the upper part

• runs into the infraorbital groove where it

• It emerges through infraorbital foramen and

• It receives the following afferent fibers:

• The second part runs upwards and forwards

• The third part passes between the

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