Pterygoid plexus
Encyclopedia
The pterygoid plexus is a venous plexus
of considerable size, and is situated between the temporalis muscle
and lateral pterygoid muscle
, and partly between the two pterygoid muscles.
Thus it receives the following veins:
; it also communicates with the cavernous sinus
, by branches through the foramen Vesalii, foramen ovale
, and foramen lacerum
. Due to its communication with the cavernous sinus, infection of the superficial face may spread to the cavernous sinus, causing cavernous sinus syndrome. Complications may include edema of the eyelids, conjunctivae of the eyes, and subsequent paralysis of cranial nerves which course through the cavernous sinus.
The pterygoid plexus of veins becomes the maxillary vein. The maxillary vein and the superficial temporal vein later join to become the retromandibular vein. The posterior branch of the retromandibular vein and posterior auricular vein then form the external jugular vein, which empties into the subclavian vein.
Venous plexus
A venous plexus is a congregation of multiple veins.Examples of venous plexuses are:* Vesical venous plexus* Vaginal venous plexus* Uterine venous plexus*Pterygoid plexus...
of considerable size, and is situated between the temporalis muscle
Temporalis muscle
The temporal muscle is one of the muscles of mastication.-Structure:It arises from the temporal fossa and the deep part of temporal fascia...
and lateral pterygoid muscle
Lateral pterygoid muscle
The lateral pterygoid is a muscle of mastication with two heads. It lies superiorly to the medial pterygoid.-Origin and insertion:...
, and partly between the two pterygoid muscles.
Tributaries received
It receives tributaries corresponding with the branches of the maxillary artery.Thus it receives the following veins:
- sphenopalatine
- middle meningeal
- deep temporal (anterior & posterior)
- pterygoid
- masseteric
- buccinator
- alveolar
- some palatine veins (palatine vein which divides into the greater and lesser palatine v.)
- a branch which communicates with the ophthalmic vein through the inferior orbital fissureInferior orbital fissureNot to be confused with the infraorbital groove, infraorbital canal, and infraorbital foramen.The lateral wall and the floor of the orbit are separated posteriorly by the inferior orbital fissure which transmits the maxillary nerve and its zygomatic branch, and the ascending branches from the...
- infraorbital vein
Relations
This plexus communicates freely with the anterior facial veinAnterior facial vein
The anterior facial vein commences at the side of the root of the nose and is a direct continuation of the angular vein where it also receives a small nasal branch. It lies behind the facial artery and follows a less tortuous course...
; it also communicates with the cavernous sinus
Cavernous sinus
The cavernous sinus , within the human head, is a large collection of thin-walled veins creating a cavity bordered by the temporal bone of the skull and the sphenoid bone, lateral to the sella turcica.-Contents:...
, by branches through the foramen Vesalii, foramen ovale
Foramen ovale
There are multiple structures in the human body with the name foramen ovale :* In the fetal heart, the foramen ovale is a shunt from the right atrium to left atrium....
, and foramen lacerum
Foramen lacerum
The foramen lacerum is a triangular hole in the base of the skull located at the base of the medial pterygoid plate.-Transit through the foramen lacerum:...
. Due to its communication with the cavernous sinus, infection of the superficial face may spread to the cavernous sinus, causing cavernous sinus syndrome. Complications may include edema of the eyelids, conjunctivae of the eyes, and subsequent paralysis of cranial nerves which course through the cavernous sinus.
The pterygoid plexus of veins becomes the maxillary vein. The maxillary vein and the superficial temporal vein later join to become the retromandibular vein. The posterior branch of the retromandibular vein and posterior auricular vein then form the external jugular vein, which empties into the subclavian vein.
