Anatomy: Pterygopalatine Fossa

Question 1

Small space that is medial to the infratemporal fossa

Answer 1

Pterygopalatine Fossa

Question 2

Anterior boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 2

Posterior surface of the maxilla

Question 3

Posterior boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 3

Pterygoid process

Question 4

Superior boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 4

Greater wing of the sphenoid

Question 5

Medial boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 5

Perpendicular plate of the palatine bone

Question 6

Openings into the LATERAL wall of the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 6

Pterygomaxillary fissure

Question 7

Openings into the MEDIAL wall of the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 7

Sphenopalatine foramen

Question 8

Openings into the ANTERIOR wall of the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 8

Inferior orbital fissure

Question 9

Openings into the POSTERIOR wall of the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 9

Pterygoid canal

Question 10

Openings into the CEILING of the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 10

Foramen rotundum (“Skylight” on ceiling)

Question 11

Openings into the FLOOR of the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 11

No floor - just a passage to the greater and lesser palatine canals

Question 12

What nerve passes through the pterygopalatine fossa and what hangs off this nerve?

Answer 12

• V2 (maxillary division of CN 5 = trigeminal nerve)

- the pterygopalatine ganglion hangs from it

Question 13

Parasympathetic ganglion located in the pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 13

Pterygopalatine ganglion

Question 14

The three types of fibers that the pterygopalatine ganglion receives.

Answer 14

• Sensory
• Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers
• Postganglionic sympathetic fibers

Question 15

Where do the SENSORY fibers come from that are received by the pterygopalatine ganglion

Answer 15

From V2 (maxillary division of CN 5 = Trigeminal nerve)

Question 16

Where do the PREGANGLIONIC PARASYMPATHETIC fibers come from that are received by the pterygopalatine ganglion

Answer 16

From the greater petrosal nerve (branch of VII = facial nerve)

Question 17

Where do the POSTGANGLIONIC SYMPATHETIC fibers come from that are received by the pterygopalatine ganglion

Answer 17

From the deep petrosal nerve

Question 18

What kind of fibers does the greater petrosal nerve contain?

Answer 18

Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers

Question 19

What kind of fibers does the deep petrosal nerve contain?

Answer 19

Postganglionic sympathetic fibers from the superior cervical ganglion

Question 20

The greater petrosal nerve joins the deep petrosal nerve to form what nerve?

Answer 20

The nerve of the pterygoid canal (aka Vidian’s nerve)

Question 21

Where does the nerve of the pterygoid canal/Vidian’s nerve terminate?

Answer 21

Pterygopalatine ganglion

Question 22

What kind of fibers is the nerve of the pterygoid canal/Vidian’s nerve comprised of?

Answer 22

Autonomic fibers: Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers & Postganglionic sympathetic fibers

Question 23

Where do the preganglionic parasympathetic fibers of the nerve of the pterygoid canal/Vidian’s nerve synapse?

Answer 23

In the pterygopalatine ganglion

Question 24

What do the postganglionic sympathetic fibers do in the nerve of the pterygoid canal/Vidian’s nerve?

Answer 24

They only pass through the ganglion

Question 25

Branches from the pterygopalatine ganglion

Answer 25

- Greater palatine nerve - Lesser palatine nerve - Nasopalatine nerve - Posterolateral branches - Pharyngeal nerve

Question 26

Where does the maxillary nerve (V2) exit the middle cranial fossa?

Answer 26

Through the foramen rotundum

Question 27

What kind of fibers does the maxillary (V2) nerve contain?

Answer 27

SENSORY FIBERS ONLY

Question 28

After exiting the middle cranial fossa, what does the maxillary nerve (V2) immediately do?

Answer 28

Enters the pterygopalatine fossa where it travels in the upper part of the fossa

Question 29

After traveling through the upper part of the pterygopalatine fossa, what does the maxillary nerve (V2) do?

Answer 29

Enters the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure and changes name

Question 30

What name does the maxillary nerve (V2) change to after it enters the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure?

Answer 30

Infraorbital nerve

Question 31

Where does the maxillary (V2) nerve travel?

Answer 31

- Exits middle cranial fossa through foramen rotundum - Enters pterygopalatine fossa - Travels in the upper part of the fossa - Enteres the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure - Changes name to the infraorbital nerve - Runs in floor of the orbit - Exits on the face

Question 32

Branches of V2 (maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve)

Answer 32

- Intracranial branch - Ganglionic branch - Zygomatic nerve - Zygomaticotemporal nerve* - Posterior superior alveolar nerve - Middle superior alveolar nerve - Anterior superior alveolar nerve

Question 33

What does the intracranial branch of V2 innervate?

Answer 33

Dura mater in the middle cranial fossa

Question 34

What do the ganglionic branches contain and do?

Answer 34

- Contain mostly sensory fibers (plus a few postganglionic parasympathetic fibers) - Connect V2 with the pterygopalatine ganglion

Question 35

What does the zygomatic nerve of V2 do and what does it supply?

Answer 35

- Divides into the zygomaticotemporal and zygomaticofacial nerves - Supplies skin over temporal region and cheek

Question 36

What branch of fibers does the zygomaticotemporal nerve of V5 contain and what's it destined for?

Answer 36

- Has a branch that contains postganglionic parasympathetic fibers - Destined for the lacrimal gland

Question 37

What is the fiber compensation of the nerve of the pterygoid canal/Vidian's nerve?

Answer 37

- Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers (from greater petrosal nerve) - Postganglionic sympathetic fibers (from deep petrosal nerve which is from the superior cervical ganglion)

Question 38

What does the POSTERIOR SUPERIOR ALVEOLAR NERVE of V2 supply?

Answer 38

- Maxillary molar teeth | - Mucosa of maxillary sinus

Question 39

What does the MIDDLE SUPERIOR ALVEOLAR NERVE of V5 supply?

Answer 39

- Maxillary premolars | - Mucosa of maxillary sinus

Question 40

What does the ANTERIOR SUPERIOR ALVEOLAR NERVE of V2 supply?

Answer 40

- Maxillary incisors and canine teeth | - Mucosa of maxillary sinus

Question 41

What is the one thing that all superior alveolar nerves of V2 supply?

Answer 41

Mucosa of maxillary sinus

Question 42

What is the third part of the maxillary artery?

Answer 42

Pterygopalatine Part (third part)

Question 43

Where does the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery travel?

Answer 43

- Maxillary artery leaves the infratemporal fossa - Enters pterygopalatine fossa through the pterygomaxillary fissure - Branches follow those of V2 and the pterygopalatine ganglion

Question 44

Branches of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery

Answer 44

- Posterior superior alveolar artery - Infraorbital artery - Descending palatine artery - Pharyngeal artery - Artery of the pterygoid canal - Sphenopalatine artery

Question 45

What does the POSTERIOR SUPERIOR ALVEOLAR ARTERY of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery supply?

Answer 45

- Maxillary molar and premolars teeth | - Mucosa of the maxillary sinus

Question 46

What does the INFRAORBITAL ARTERY of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery accompany, and what are it's branches?

Answer 46

- Accompanies the infraorbital nerve; emerges on the face - Branches: - -Anterior superior alveolar artery - -Terminal branches

Question 47

What does the ANTERIOR SUPERIOR ALVEOLAR ARTERY of the infraorbital artery of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery supply?

Answer 47

- Maxillary incisor and canine teeth | - Mucosa of maxillary sinus

Question 48

What do the TERMINAL BRANCHES of the infraorbital artery of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery supply?

Answer 48

Structures on the face

Question 49

What does the DESCENDING PALATINE ARTERY of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery divide into and supply?

Answer 49

-Divides into the greater and lesser palatine arteries to hard and soft palate

Question 50

Where does the PHARYNGEAL ARTERY of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery pass through, and what does it supply?

Answer 50

- Passes through the (palatovaginal)?? canal with a branch of the pterygopalatine ganglion - Supplies the mucosa of the nasopharynx and sphenoid sinus

Question 51

What does the ARTERY OF THE PTERYGOID CANAL of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery supply?

Answer 51

Supplies the walls and contents of the pterygoid canal and mucosa of the nasopharynx, auditory tube, and tympanic cavity **Accompanies the nerve; "Little artery that does a big job"

Question 52

Where does the SPHENOPALATINE ARTERY of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery enter, and what are it's branches?

Answer 52

- Enters the nasal cavity through the sphenopalatine foramen (located in the medial wall) - Branches: - -Posterolateral nasal branches - -Posterior septal branches

Question 53

What do the POSTEROLATERAL NASAL BRANCHES of the sphenopalatine artery of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery supply?

Answer 53

Supplies posterior part of lateral wall of nasal cavity

Question 54

What do the POSTERIOR SEPTAL BRANCHES of the sphenopalatine artery of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery supply?

Answer 54

Supplies mucosa of the posterior part of the nasal septum