[Computer tomography study of the pterygopalatine fossa and its communications]

Med Arh. 2003;57(4):203-6.
[Article in Croatian]

Abstract

Pterygopalatine fossa represents very important topographic area, which is connected, by numerous foramina and fissures, to the other extracranial and intracranial areas. This gives to it huge anatomic and clinical significance. In these papers, through the method of computed tomography in axial and coronal projections, we have presented pterygopalatine fossa and the communications that it can establish through foramen rotundum (the middle cranial fossa), inferior orbital fissure (orbital cavity), sphenopalatine foramen (nasal cavity), greater palatine foramen and lesser palatine foramina (oral cavity), canalis pterygoideusa (nasal part of throat) and pterygopalatine fissure (infratemporal fossa). Knowledge on pterygopalatine fossa, and its communications, too, is necessary for adequate evaluation of the infective and tumourous processes, by which it might be primarily or secondarily taken.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Skull Base / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*