Pterygopalatine ganglion

The pterygopalatine ganglion ( " Flügelgaumenganglion ") is a parasympathetic ganglion in the same pit ( pterygopalatine fossa ) on the palate bone ( palatine bone ) in front of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone ( pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone ) is located. In the pterygopalatine ganglion switching occurs secretory ( parasympathetic ) fibers for the lacrimal, nasal, palatine and pharyngeal glands and the vessels of the face and brain. The ganglion is located near the sphenopalatine foramen.

For pterygopalatine ganglion pulling fibers

The parasympathetic fibers are derived from the original nucleus of the facial nerve, the superior salivatory nucleus. This Radix parasympathica contains the greater petrosal nerve. The deep petrosal nerve runs in the radix of the sympathetic ganglion and contains postganglionic fibers from the internal carotid plexus. From the maxillary nerve (second branch of the trigeminal nerve ) come short Rami ganglionares (sensible ) who move to the radix Sensoria in the ganglion. The ganglion is used as a so-called " Anlagerungsganglion " from the maxillary nerve. This means that the sensory fibers of the trigeminal nerve, this can not contact to the ganglion cells, but pull it off and only use it as a distribution station. However, the visceral efferent fibers of the ganglion use the Maxillarisäste (such as nerve zygomatic nerve, nasopalatinus, Nervi palatini ) as the way to their target organs.

From the pterygopalatine ganglion outgoing fibers

Step out of the pterygopalatine ganglion branches of the orbit, nasal cavity, palate and throat. For better orientation, the branches can be divided into two groups.

Branches that pass through the sphenopalatine foramen:

• Rami nasal posterior superior medial and lateral
• Rami orbital
• Nerve nasopalatinus
• Pharyngeal nerve

They innervate the mucosa of the nasal meatus and superior meatus nasi medius, the upper portions of the nasal septum, the pharynx, the Eustachian tube and down the long nerve nasopalatinus that passes through the incisive canal, the anterior portion of the palatal mucosa.

Furthermore, even the Nervi palatini ( " palate nerves" ) can be distinguished: The nervi palatini minores and the palatine nerve major pass through the same holes and channels ( foramen nervi palatini majores et minores ) in the hard palate ( hard palate ) to the oral cavity. They innervate the inferior nasal meatus, the maxillary sinus, the palatal mucosa, the tonsils ( palatine tonsil ) and the gums of the upper jaw.

In the ganglion, the parasympathetic fibers are switched to the second neuron and those innervating the secretory glands of the nose and palate. About the zygomatic nerve and lacrimal nerve from the pterygopalatine ganglion are also the lacrimal gland parasympathetic fibers supplied.

Passage points wegziehender fibers and their accompanying structures

Descending palatine artery and vein

Rr nasal posterior superior and inferior

Nervi posterior superior alveolar

Zygomatic nerve

Infraorbital artery and vein

Ophthalmic vein inferior