Main Contents
The pterygopalatine fossa houses an essential component of the autonomic nervous system: the pterygopalatine ganglion (Ganglion pterygopalatinum). It is important not to confuse it with other parasympathetic head ganglia (ciliary, submandibular, or otic), which are located in completely different anatomical regions.
Communications via Fissures and Foramina
The fossa features a complex communication network through which major neurovascular bundles pass:
- Foramen rotundum. Serves as the entryway for the maxillary nerve (N. maxillaris) as it enters the fossa from the middle cranial fossa.
- Inferior orbital fissure (Fissura orbitalis inferior). Transmits the infraorbital and zygomatic nerves (N. infraorbitalis, N. zygomaticus), the infraorbital artery (A. infraorbitalis), and the inferior orbital vein (V. orbitalis inferior).
- Pterygomaxillary fissure (Fissura pterygomaxillaris). Serves as the pathway for the major maxillary artery (A. maxillaris), along with its accompanying venous plexuses and branches.
- Sphenopalatine foramen (Foramen sphenopalatinum). Transmits the sphenopalatine artery (A. sphenopalatina) with its corresponding veins, as well as the lateral and medial superior posterior nasal branches (Rr. nasales posteriores superiores laterales et mediales), which originate from the maxillary nerve.
Communications via Canals
In addition to foramina and fissures, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with neighboring regions through specific canals:
- Pterygoid canal (Canalis pterygoideus). Houses the artery of the pterygoid canal (A. canalis pterygoidei), a branch of the maxillary artery. It also transmits the nerve of the pterygoid canal (N. canalis pterygoidei). Interestingly, this nerve is formed by the union of two distinct nerves: the greater petrosal and deep petrosal nerves.
- Greater palatine canal (Canalis palatinus major). Transmits the greater palatine nerve (N. palatinus major) and descending palatine artery (A. palatina descendens) inferiorly.