Pterygopalatine ganglion

Pterygopalatine ganglion (also known as the sphenopalatine ganglion) is one of the four parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck. It is the largest of the ganglia and is associated with the maxillary nerve.

Anatomy

The pterygopalatine ganglion is located in the pterygopalatine fossa, posterior to the middle nasal turbinate and anterior to the pterygoid canal. It is triangular in shape and is suspended by two roots from the maxillary nerve and pterygoid canal.

Function

The pterygopalatine ganglion supplies parasympathetic fibers to the lacrimal gland and mucous glands of the nasal cavity, palate, and pharynx. It also carries sensory fibers from the nasal cavity, palate, and pharynx to the maxillary nerve.

Clinical significance

The pterygopalatine ganglion is involved in various clinical conditions such as cluster headache, trigeminal neuralgia, and sphenopalatine ganglion neuralgia. It can be targeted for sphenopalatine ganglion block or sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation in the treatment of these conditions.

See also

• Parasympathetic ganglia
• Maxillary nerve
• Pterygopalatine fossa
• Sphenopalatine ganglion block
• Sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation

References

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  Diagram of the pterygopalatine ganglion and its connections.
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  The maxillary nerve and its branches.
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  The pterygopalatine fossa and its contents.
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  The distribution of the maxillary nerve.
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  The pterygopalatine ganglion and its branches.
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  The pterygopalatine ganglion and its connections.
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  The pterygopalatine ganglion and its branches.
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  Diagram of the maxillary nerve system.
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  Autonomic innervation to the lacrimal gland and other glands of the deep face.