Pterygoid hamulus

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Pterygoid hamulus is a small hook-like structure located at the lower extremity of the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone. It is a part of the human skull and plays a significant role in the functioning of the human anatomy.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The pterygoid hamulus acts as a pulley for the tendon of the Tensor veli palatini, a muscle of the human head involved in the opening and closing of the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube, also known as the auditory tube, is a canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, which consists of the upper throat and the back of the nasal cavity.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

In some cases, the pterygoid hamulus can cause a condition known as Pterygoid hamulus syndrome, which is characterized by pain in the palate, throat, and ear. This condition is often caused by an elongated or bony pterygoid hamulus. Treatment typically involves surgical intervention to reduce the size of the hamulus.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD