Pterygomaxillary fissure
Fissura pterygomaxillaris
Definition
The pterygomaxillary fissure is a narrow gap located at the meeting point of the front and medial walls of the infratemporal fossa. The front wall consists of the rear part of the maxilla, while the medial wall is formed by the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone.
The pterygomaxillary fissure serves as a link connecting the infratemporal fossa with the pterygopalatine fossa. Consequently, the fissure determines the lateral boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa.
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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2024 IMAIOS.
Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 8: Head and Neck’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 942.
Lentzen MP, Safi AF, Riekert M, Visser-Vandewalle V, Grandoch A, Zirk M, Zöller JE, Kreppel M. Analysis of the Pterygomaxillary Fissure for Surgical Approach to Sphenopalatine Ganglion by Radiological Examination of Cone Beam Computed Tomography. J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Jan/Feb;31(1):e95-e99. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000006044.
