pterygopalatine fossa

noun

pter·​y·​go·​pal·​a·​tine fossa ˌter-ə-gō-ˈpal-ə-ˌtīn- How to pronounce pterygopalatine fossa (audio)
: 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

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Cite this Entry

“Pterygopalatine fossa.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/pterygopalatine%20fossa. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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