Anatomic basis of endoscopic transnasal surgery in the pterygopalatine fossa

Objective:To provide morphologic data for endoscopic transnasal surgery in the pterygopalatine fossa by measuring the bony landmarks and dissecting corpses.Methods:The bony landmarks of pterygopalatine fossa in 40 dry skulls were measured and 10 corpses (20 sides) of skull were dissected.Results:The distances from anterior nasal spur to sphenopalatine foramen,to foramen rotundum and to pterygoepalatine fissure were 62.3±2.7 mm,64.2±4.8 mm and 51.5±0.6 mm respectively.There were two layers of tissue in the pterygopalatine fossa,they are posteromedial nerve layer and anterolateral vessel layer.The distance from the internal carotid artery to the sphenopalatine foramen was 16.4±3.3 mm.Conclusion:Safe scope could be acquired in endoscopic transnasal surgery in pterygopalatine fossa and foramen rotundum could be thought as an important landmark.