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Anatomy · Skull

Pterygopalatine fossa

Fossa pterygopalatina

Pterygopalatine fossa (Fossa pterygopalatina) is a critical topographical and anatomical space of the skull that serves as a "switchboard" for vessels and nerves. Key structures are located here, and the fossa itself has numerous communications with other cavities via a system of foramina, fissures, and canals.

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Nerve ganglionPterygopalatine ganglion (Ganglion pterygopalatinum)
Main arteryMaxillary artery (A. maxillaris)
Key nerveMaxillary nerve (N. maxillaris)
3 min readFor medical studentsUpdated 09/24/2026
Material prepared by WhiteCoat Pro editorial team based on platform study guidesReviewed by medical editor: Aulov A. A., general practitioner · 09/24/2026

Main content

Inside the pterygopalatine fossa lies an important structure of the autonomic nervous system — the pterygopalatine ganglion (Ganglion pterygopalatinum). It is important not to confuse it with other head ganglia (ciliary, submandibular, or otic), which are located in different anatomical regions.

Communications through fissures and foramina

The fossa has a complex system of communications through which major transit pathways pass:

  • Foramen rotundum (Foramen rotundum). Serves as the entrance gateway for the maxillary nerve (N. maxillaris), which enters here from the cranial cavity.
  • Inferior orbital fissure (Fissura orbitalis inferior). Transmits the infraorbital and zygomatic nerves (N. infraorbitalis, N. zygomaticus), as well as the infraorbital artery (A. infraorbitalis) and inferior orbital vein (V. orbitalis inferior).
  • Pterygomaxillary fissure (Fissura pterygomaxillaris). This is the pathway for the passage of the large maxillary artery (A. maxillaris), as well as venous plexuses and tributaries.
  • Sphenopalatine foramen (Foramen sphenopalatinum). Transmits the sphenopalatine artery (A. sphenopalatina) with veins of the same name, as well as the lateral and medial superior posterior nasal branches (Rr. nasales posteriores superiores laterales et mediales), which are branches of the maxillary nerve.
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Communications through canals

In addition to foramina and fissures, the pterygopalatine fossa communicates with adjacent regions via canals:

  1. Pterygoid canal (Canalis pterygoideus). It contains the artery of the pterygoid canal (A. canalis pterygoidei), branching from the maxillary artery. The nerve of the pterygoid canal (N. canalis pterygoidei) also passes here. Interestingly, this nerve is formed by the union of two other nerves: the greater petrosal and deep petrosal.
  2. Greater palatine canal (Canalis palatinus major). Transmits downwards the greater palatine nerve (N. palatinus major) and the descending palatine artery (A. palatina descendens).

Briefly: answers to topical questions

What branches does the maxillary nerve give off in the pterygopalatine fossa?

In the pterygopalatine fossa, the maxillary nerve gives off several main branches.

  • Posterior superior alveolar branches (nn. alveolares superiores).
  • Infraorbital nerve (n. infraorbitalis) — passes through the inferior orbital fissure.
  • Zygomatic nerve (n. zygomaticus) — also heads into the inferior orbital fissure.
  • Ganglionic branches — head toward the pterygopalatine ganglion (ganglion pterygopalatinum).
  • Lateral and medial superior posterior nasal branches (rr. nasales posteriores superiores laterales et mediales) — exit through the sphenopalatine foramen.

Where does the greater palatine canal open, and what vessels and nerves does it transmit?

The provided sources do not specify where exactly the greater palatine canal opens. It transmits the greater palatine nerve (N. palatinus major) and the descending palatine artery (A. palatina descendens).

How to memorize

To remember how the nerve of the pterygoid canal is formed in the fossa, keep in mind: it is assembled from "greater stones" and "deep stones" (greater and deep petrosal nerves).

Class and exam questions

Which nerve ganglion is located in the pterygopalatine fossa?

Only the pterygopalatine ganglion (Ganglion pterygopalatinum) is located within it. The ciliary, submandibular, and otic ganglia lie outside its borders.

Through which foramen does the maxillary nerve enter the fossa?

The maxillary nerve (N. maxillaris) enters the pterygopalatine fossa through the foramen rotundum (Foramen rotundum).

What is the nerve of the pterygoid canal formed from?

The nerve of the pterygoid canal (N. canalis pterygoidei) is formed by the joining of the greater petrosal and deep petrosal nerves.

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What else to study on this topic

  • Branching of the maxillary nerve (N. maxillaris) within the fossa
  • Course and branches of the maxillary artery (A. maxillaris) in the pterygomaxillary fissure
  • Formation of the nerve of the pterygoid canal (fusion of the petrosal nerves)
  • Topography of the inferior orbital fissure and its neurovascular bundle

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Other topics in the "Skull" section

General overview of the skullFrontal boneOccipital boneParietal boneEthmoid boneSphenoid boneTemporal boneCanals of the temporal boneMaxillaPalatine boneMandibleSmall bones of the facial skullHyoid boneInternal cranial baseExternal cranial baseOrbitNasal cavityContents of cranial canals, foramina, and fissuresOral cavityLesser palatine foraminaStylomastoid foramenHypoglossal canalCoronoid process of mandibleBody of hyoid bone
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