pterygopalatine fossa

pter·y·go·pal·a·tine fossa

noun \ˌter-ə-gō-ˈpal-ə-ˌtīn-\

Definition of PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA

: a small triangular space beneath the apex of the orbit that is bounded above by the sphenoid bone and the orbital process of the palatine bone, in front by the maxilla, medially by the palatine bone, and behind by the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone and that contains among other structures the pterygopalatine ganglion—called also pterygomaxillary fossa, sphenomaxillary fossa