Microanatomy and clinical significance of pterygopalatine fossa

Objective To study microanatomy of pterygopalatine fossa and to provide microanatomic basis for treating the lesions of the pterygopalatine fossa. Methods The walls and communicating paths of the pterygopalatine fossa were observed in 10 dry skulls, meanwhile ,10 cadaveric heads (20 sides) were dissected to observe the microanatomy. Results the pterygopalatine fossa shows a long and narrow cleft. Eight paths communicate with nasal cavity,mouth cavity, pharynx, orbit, infratemporal fossa and middle cranial fossa. The pterygopalatine segment of maxillary artery and accompanying vein, the maxillary nerve and sphenopalatine ganglion are the most important structures. Conclusion The pterygopalatine fossa exhibited complicated microanatomic structures , abundant of blood vessel and nerves It is a great significance for us to be familiar with the microanatomy of pterygopalatine fossa in operation of the pterygopalatine fossa lesions.