title: Endoscopic anatomy of the palatovaginal canal (palatosphenoidal canal): a landmark for dissection of the vidian nerve during endonasal transpterygoid approaches.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Demonstrate the endoscopic anatomy of the palatovaginal (PV) canal and artery for identification and dissection of the vidian nerve during endoscopic transpterygoid approaches. Evaluate the length of the PV canal and its relation with the vidian nerve. Show that the traditionally known PV canal is a misnomer and should be renamed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study: anatomical and radiological.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dissection of eight cadaveric heads was performed to demonstrate the endoscopic anatomy of the PV canal. Computed tomography scan analysis of 20 patients was used to evaluate the length of the PV canal, the angle formed between this canal and the vidian nerve, and the distance between the vidian canal and the PV canal. Study of 10 dry skull bases was performed to verify the structures involved in the formation of the PV canal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anatomic steps and foundations for dissection of the vidian nerve using the PV canal as a landmark were described. The mean length of the PV canal was 7.15 mm. The mean proximal distance between the vidian and the PV canal was 1.95 mm, and the mean distal distance was 4.14 mm. The mean angle between those canals was 48 degrees. The osteology study showed the vaginal process of the sphenoid bone did not contribute to the formation of the PV canal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our anatomic investigations, radiologic studies, and surgical experience demonstrate the important anatomic relationship of the PV canal with the vidian canal and the relevance of the PV canal as a surgical landmark in endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approaches. Anatomically, PV canal is a misnomer and should be replaced with palatosphenoidal canal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Pinheiro-Neto
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Miranda
authors.forename: Carlos M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rivera-Serrano
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paluzzi
authors.forename: Carl H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Snyderman
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Luiz U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Sennes
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology*