What is a pterygomaxillary fissure?
The pterygomaxillary fissure is a fissure of the human skull. It is vertical, and descends at right angles from the medial end of the inferior orbital fissure. It is a triangular interval, formed by the divergence of the maxilla from the pterygoid process of the sphenoid.
Where is pterygomaxillary fissure?
temporal fossa
It is located in the medial aspect of the temporal fossa and is formed by the divergence of the maxilla from the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone. It connects the infratemporal fossa with the pterygopalatine fossa.
What artery passes through the pterygomaxillary fissure?
The pterygomaxillary fissure transmits the posterior superior alveolar nerve, a branch of maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve from the pterygopalatine fossa to the infratemporal fossa. Terminal branches of the maxillary artery also enter the fissure.
What is the infratemporal fossa?
The infratemporal fossa is a complex space of the face that lies posterolateral to the maxillary sinus and many important nerves and vessels traverse it. It lies below the skull base, between the pharyngeal sidewall and ramus of the mandible.
Where is the greater palatine foramen?
The greater palatine foramen is located at a level approximately equal to the distal surface of the maxillary fourth premolar tooth and midway between the palate midline and dental arch. The major palatine artery, vein, and nerve exit this foramen and course along the length of the palate in the palatine sulcus.
What structure communicates the Infratemporal fossa with the Pterygo Palatine fossa?
Upon scrolling up, the PPF appears as a small oval space bounded anteriorly by the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus, medially by the palatine bone and posteriorly by the pterygoid plates (Fig. 2b). Laterally, the PPF communicates with the infratemporal fossa (ITF) via the pterygomaxillary fissure (PMF) (Fig.
Why is the infratemporal fossa important?
Nerves coursing through and around the infratemporal fossa are responsible for providing a vast majority of sensory and motor function to the lower face and other important structures such as the dura mater.
What is the Infratemporal region?
Infratemporal fossa. This is a space lying beneath the base of the skull between the side wall of the pharynx and the ramus of the mandible. It is also referred to as the parapharyngeal or lateral pharyngeal space.
What is the Palatine process?
Medical Definition of palatine process : a process of the maxilla that projects medially, articulates posteriorly with the palatine bone, and forms with the corresponding process on the other side the anterior three-fourths of the hard palate. — called also palatal process.
What is palatine foramen?
The greater palatine foramen is the opening in the posterior hard palate of the greater palatine canal, which is formed between the articulation of maxillary bone and the greater palatine sulcus of palatine bone. The canal is also known as the pterygopalatine canal.
What hole leads from the Pterygo palatal fossa into the eye socket?
It is the indented area medial to the pterygomaxillary fissure leading into the sphenopalatine foramen.
Where is the pterygomaxillary fissure located?
The pterygomaxillary fissure is a triangular shaped lateral opening of pterygopalatine fossa. It is located in the medial aspect of the temporal fossa and is formed by the divergence of the maxilla from the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone.
What is the pterygopalatine fissure?
The pterygopalatine plates are separated laterally from the posterior surface of the body of the maxilla by the pterygomaxillary fissure. In older texts, the pterygomaxillary fissure is sometimes called the pterygopalatine fissure.
What are the challenges in interpretation of panoramic radiographs?
Furthermore, the panoramic radiograph depicts numerous anatomic structures outside of the jaws which may create additional interpretation challenges. Successful interpretation of panoramic radiographs begins with an understanding of the normal anatomy of the head and neck and how it is depicted in this image type.
What connects the infratemporal fossa with the pterygopalatine fossa?
It connects the infratemporal fossa with the pterygopalatine fossa. The pterygomaxillary fissure transmits the posterior superior alveolar nerve, a branch of maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve from the pterygopalatine fossa to the infratemporal fossa.