Pterygoid plexus: Difference between revisions
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added palatine veins |
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* buccinator |
* buccinator |
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* alveolar |
* alveolar |
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* some palatine veins |
* some palatine veins (palatine vein which divides into the greater and lesser palatine v.) |
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* a branch which communicates with the [[ophthalmic vein]] through the [[inferior orbital fissure]] |
* a branch which communicates with the [[ophthalmic vein]] through the [[inferior orbital fissure]] |
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* infraorbital vein |
* infraorbital vein |
Revision as of 18:19, 16 November 2007
Pterygoid plexus | |
---|---|
Details | |
Drains to | facial vein |
Artery | maxillary artery |
Identifiers | |
Latin | plexus pterygoideus |
TA98 | A12.3.05.036 |
TA2 | 4836 |
FMA | 50944 |
Anatomical terminology |
The pterygoid plexus is a venous plexus of considerable size, and is situated between the temporalis muscle and lateral pterygoid muscle, and partly between the two pterygoid muscles.
Tributaries received
It receives tributaries corresponding with the branches of the maxillary artery.
Thus it receives the following veins:
- sphenopalatine
- middle meningeal[1]
- deep temporal (anterior & posterior)
- pterygoid
- masseteric
- buccinator
- alveolar
- some palatine veins (palatine vein which divides into the greater and lesser palatine v.)
- a branch which communicates with the ophthalmic vein through the inferior orbital fissure
- infraorbital vein
Relations
This plexus communicates freely with the anterior facial vein; it also communicates with the cavernous sinus, by branches through the foramen Vesalii, foramen ovale, and foramen lacerum. Due to its communication with the cavernous sinus, infection of the superficial face may spread to the cavernous sinus, causing cavernous sinus syndrome. Complications may include edema of the eyelids, conjunctivae of the eyes, and subsequent paralysis of cranial nerves which course through the cavernous sinus.
References
External links
- Anatomy photo:27:13-0100 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Infratemporal Fossa: The Pterygoid Plexus of Veins"
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 645 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)