Petrolingual ligament

Petrolingual Ligament

The Petrolingual ligament is a small fibrous band in the human body that extends from the petrous part of the temporal bone to the lingula of the mandible. It is a part of the sphenomandibular ligament, which is a remnant of the first pharyngeal arch.

Anatomy

The petrolingual ligament is located in the infratemporal fossa, a space in the skull located below and medial to the zygomatic arch. It is closely related to several important structures, including the mandibular nerve, the chorda tympani, and the otic ganglion.

The ligament is attached superiorly to the spine of the sphenoid bone and inferiorly to the lingula of the mandible. It is a thin, flat band that is oriented vertically in the infratemporal fossa.

Function

The petrolingual ligament serves as a guide for the mandibular nerve as it descends in the infratemporal fossa. It also provides a point of attachment for the sphenomandibular ligament.

Clinical significance

The petrolingual ligament is an important landmark in certain surgical procedures, such as mandibular nerve block anesthesia. It is also a potential site of entrapment for the mandibular nerve, which can lead to neuralgia.

See also

• Sphenomandibular ligament
• Mandibular nerve
• Infratemporal fossa