Abstract
Introduction Endonasal endoscopic transpterygoid approaches are commonly used techniques to access
the infratemporal fossa and parapharyngeal space. Important endoscopic endonasal landmarks
for the poststyloid parapharyngeal space, hence the internal carotid artery, include
the mandibular nerve at the level of foramen ovale and the lateral pterygoid plate.
This study aims to define the anatomical relationships of the foramen ovale, establishing
its distance to other important anatomical landmarks such as the pterygoid process
and columella.
Methods Distances between the foramen ovale, foramen rotundum, and fixed anatomical landmarks
like the columella and pterygoid process were measured using computed tomography (CT)
scans and cadaveric dissections of the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae.
Results The mean distances from the foramen ovale to columella and from the foramen rotundum
to columella were found to be 9.15 cm and 7.09 cm, respectively. Analysis of radiologic
measurements detected no statistically significant differences between sides or gender.
Conclusions The pterygoid plates and V3 are prominent landmarks of the endonasal endoscopic approach
to the infratemporal fossa and poststyloid parapharyngeal space. A better understanding
of the endoscopic anatomy of the infratemporal fossa and awareness of the approximate
distances and geometry among anatomical landmarks facilitates a safe and complete
resection of lesions arising or extending to these regions.
Keywords
infratemporal fossa - transpterygoid approach - foramen ovale - foramen rotundum -
V2 - V3
