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The pterygopalatine fossa is a fossa in the skull located between the the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone and the back surface of the maxilla.

Contents 1 Passages 2 Contents 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Passages

The pterygopalatine fossa is between the maxilla and the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone. The following passages connect the fossa with other parts of the skull:

• Posteriorly
  • The foramen rotundum connects the middle cranial fossa with the pterygopalatine fossa.
  • The pterygoid canal opens on the posterior wall of the pterygopalatine fossa, also connecting the fossa with the middle cranial fossa.
  • The palatovaginal canal connects the fossa with the nasal cavity.
• Anteriorly
  • The inferior orbital fissure connects the fossa anteriorly with the orbit.
• Medially
  • The sphenopalatine foramen opens on the medial wall, connecting the pteryopalatine fossa with the nasal cavity.
• Laterally
  • The pterygomaxillary fissure connect the fossa laterally to the infratemporal fossa.
• Inferiorly
  • The greater palatine canal connects the fossa with the oral cavity. It also gives rise to the lesser palatine canals.

[edit] Contents

The pterygopalatine fossa contains the pterygopalatine ganglion suspended by nerve roots from the maxillary nerve, as well as the third part of the maxillary artery and the nerve of the pterygoid canal.

[edit] See also

• Pterygopalatine canal

[edit] External links

• Dorlands/Elsevier f_14/12376574
• Image

Facial bones v • d • e</div>

maxilla: body of maxilla: Incisive fossa | Maxillary sinus | Canine fossa | Infraorbital foramen | Anterior nasal spine | Alveolar canals | Infraorbital canal | Pterygopalatine canal Zygomatic process | Frontal process (Agger nasi | Anterior lacrimal crest) | Alveolar process | Palatine process (Incisive foramen | Incisive canals | Foramina of Scarpa | Premaxilla | Anterior nasal spine) lacrimal bone: Posterior lacrimal crest | Lacrimal groove zygomatic bone: Zygomaticofacial foramen | Zygomaticotemporal foramen | Zygomaticoörbital foramina palatine bone: Pterygopalatine fossa | Pterygoid fossa | Horizontal plate (Posterior nasal spine) | Perpendicular plate (Pterygopalatine canal | Sphenopalatine foramen | Pyramidal process) processes (Orbital | Sphenoidal) mandible: body (Symphysis menti, Mental foramen, Mylohyoid line) | Ramus mandibulae (Mandibular foramen, Mandibular canal, Mandibular notch) others: nasal bone | inferior nasal conchae (maxillary process) | vomer

no:fossa pterygopalatina