Anatomy of the Internal Maxillary Artery in the Pterygopalatine Fossa and its Clinical Value

Objective: To provide morphologic data of the third part of maxillary artery in the pterygopalatine fossa for the craniofacial surgery. Methods: Twelve adult cadaveric heads were dissected under microscope by the lateral infratemporal approach. The branching patterns of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery were observed. Results: The third part of the maxillary artery were classified into four type: the Y type (20.8%), T type(25%),intermediate type (37.5%) and M type (16.7%) according to its course.The average distance from the most inferior point of the pterygopalatine fissure to the posterosuperior alveolar foramen,infraorbital fissure and descending palatine artery was 15.5 mm,32.0 mm and 24.7 mm respectively. The average distance from the foramen of the infraorbita fissure to the foramen rotundum and the canal of the optic nerve was 13.34 mm and 23.13 mm respectively. Conclusion: The location of the third part of the maxillary artery and its branches could be identified by means of the pterygopalatine fissure. The safe boundary could be acquired by use of the foramen of the infraorbital fissure for locating the foramen rotundum and the deep structures of the pterygopalatine fossa.