[Anatomic study of pterygopalatine fossa under endoscope].
OBJECTIVE
To provide endoscopic anatomic bony structures of pterygopalatine fossa for skull base surgery.


METHODS
The bony structures of the pterygopalatine fossa were observed in ten dry skulls under endoscope.


RESULTS
The pterygopalatine fossa showed a long and narrow cleft composed of the body and pterygoid process of sphenoid bone, the lamina perpendicular of palatine bone, and the posterior wall of maxillary sinus. The pterygopalatine fossa is (21.4 +/- 0.8) mm x (5.2 +/- 0.3) mm x (3.2 +/- 0.3) mm, with seven paths communicating with nasal cavity, mouth cavity, pharynx, orbit, infratemporal fossa and middle cranial fossa. Under endoscope,the whole pterygopalatine fossa could be observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic anatomic study of the pterygopalatine fossa is important to endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. Under endoscope,the whole pterygopalatine fossa can be observed.
Zhang
Qin-xiu
QX
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Liu
Shi-xi
SX
An
Hui-ming
HM
Liang
Chuan-yu
CY
D000328:Adult; D000718:Anatomy, Regional; D044466:Asian People; D035301:Cranial Fossa, Middle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D056739:Pterygopalatine Fossa / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D019291:Skull Base / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery