title: Comparative research of the thin transverse sectional anatomy and the multislice spiral CT on Pterygopalatine Fossa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore a method to obtain sub-millimeter data of the thin transverse section of the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF), and to study the thin transverse sectional anatomy of the adult pterygopalatine fossa and its communicating structure for providing anatomic gist for the imaging diagnosis and minimal invasive operation when PPF diseased.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two heads of adult cadaver without macroscopic trauma (four sides of PPF) were selected to observe. Images of 0.6 mm-thick multi-planar construction (MPR) were obtained with multislice spiral CT (MSCT) based on the superior orbitomeatal line. Then, the specimens were sliced into 0.1 mm serial section on the transverse plane with the computerized milling machine, the figures were taken with digital camera and the sectional data were stored in the computer. Lastly, the thin transversal section of PPF was investigated and compared with multislice spiral CT images acquired by MPR technique to explore and discuss the anatomy of the thin transverse section of the internal structure of PPF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PPF was divided into four portions: infrapterygopalatine portion, pterygopalatine ganglionic one, suprapterygopalatine one and roof of PPF according to the structural characteristics of the transverse section of PPF. The infrapterygopalatine portion communicated laterally with the infratemporal fossa through the pterygomaxillary fissure and communicated downwards with the oral cavity via palatine greater and lesser canals. The pterygopalatine ganglion was shown clearly in the pterygopalatine ganglionic portion, and its dimensions were 3.91x1.92 mm at the best layer. In the suprapterygopalatine portion, the sphenopalatine foramen and artery were obviously shown on the medial wall, while the palatovaginal canal and artery, the pterygoid canal and artery, and the foramen rotundum and maxillary nerve were shown from the inferiomedial to laterosuperior on the posterior wall. The vomerovaginal canal and artery were located at the slightly superior portion of the medial side of the palatovaginal canal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Figures of thin transverse section and multislice spiral CT have highly consistency for the display of PPF. Both of them can correctly identify the micro-structure, the complex relationship of the connectivity and the spatial localization in the narrow space of PPF. It can provide reference gist for the imaging diagnosis and minimal invasive operation.
authors.affiliation: Wenzhou Medical College, Department of Human Anatomy, Wenzhou, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhong-Xiao
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xin-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jian-Wu
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Zhen-Ping
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Fan-Zhen
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Chuan-Sen
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D045888:Ganglion Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D056739:Pterygopalatine Fossa / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed