Endoscopic endonasal applied anatomy of pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa

OBJECTIVE To investigate the feasible endoscopic anatomic landmarks of pterygopalatine fossa(PPF)and infratemporal fossa(ITF),and to pave the way for performing operations of lateral skull base successfully and safely.METHODS Eleven fixed cadaver heads were dissected to achieve endoscopic surgical landmarks.The important endoscopic landmarks of PPF and ITF were dissected via middle nasal meatus,sphenopalatine foramen(SF)and the posterior wall of maxillary sinus,and the distances were measured among those landmarks.RESULTS The endoscopic feasible landmarks of PPF and ITF included SF,vidian canal(VC),infraorbit nerve,sphenopalatine ganglion,foramen ovale(FO),oramen spinosum(FS)and so on.The distance from basilar part of nasal columella to SF,VC,FR,FO,FS,and FL were(69±3),(73±3),(75±3),(90±5),(96±4),and(88±3)mm.CONCLUSION The important anatomic structures of PPF and ITF can be visualized clearly and comprehensively through an endoscopic endonasal view.We can deal with the lesions of this area safely and intuitively according to the location and distances of the anatomic landmarks.