Surgical anatomy of pterygopalatine fossa
Pterygopalatine fossa is a small space between the posterior surface of the Maxilla and the Pterygoid process of the Sphenoid bone. Its an inverted ‘tear-drop’ shaped space between bones on the lateral side of the skull immediately posterior to the maxilla. It is wider superiorly, becomes narrowed inferiorly, and ends in the pterygopalatine canal (greater palatine canal).1,2
Note
To get full marks kindly master all the images and flowcharts given here.
Pterygopalatine fossa communicates with both the nasal and oral cavities, the infratemporal fossa, the orbit, the pharynx, and the middle cranial fossa through 8 foramina. Three-dimensional understanding of this space is important for the rhinologist and skull-base surgeon for both the control of epistaxis and the removal of skull base lesions. The pterygopalatine space technique is utilized to deal with lesions in the spaces posterior to the maxillary sinus, including the pterygopalatine space and lateral sphenoid recess. Pathologic processes in this space are uncommon, with the most typical disease processes being juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, neurogenic tumors, a perineural extension of sinonasal malignancy, and meningoencephaloceles.3,4
To read full content, please consider buying the membership