Abstract
Anatomic knowledge on the zygomatic fossa is of primary importance to improve the regional anesthetic technique of the maxillary nerve. Few reports in the literature have addressed the trajectory of the maxillary nerve and its branches in this region; thus, this study aimed at presenting information about the trajectory of these nerves. Thirty human half-heads of both genders were fixed in 10% formalin and demineralized in 5% nitric acid, and the maxillary nerve was dissected since its origin on the pterygopalatine fossa until penetration into the inferior orbital fissure. It was observed that the maxillary nerve sends one to three posterior superior alveolar branches and tuberal descendent branches, which supply the soft tissue structures of the region. The posterior superior alveolar nerves are inferiorly oriented near the maxillary tuberosity, where they penetrate the alveolar canals with the posterior superior alveolar artery and send small nerve branches that continue in an extraosseous trajectory. This study found that nearly 2/3 of the trajectory of the maxillary nerve is located in the zygomatic region, with a short segment (1/3) in the pterygopalatine fossa.
Highlights
The maxillary nerve (V ) is the branch of the trigeminal 2 nerve (V) in charge of the sensory and secretomotor innervation of the middle segment of the face
In the 30 half-heads studied, it was found that the maxillary nerve, after its emergency in the pterygopalatine fossa through the foramen rotundum, follows an anterior and lateral direction
It could be observed that, in all cases, nearly 2/3 of the extraosseous trajectory of the maxillary nerve is located in the zygomatic region until its penetration into the infraorbital canal, with a short segment (1/3) in the pterygopalatine fossa
Summary
The maxillary nerve (V ) is the branch of the trigeminal 2 nerve (V) in charge of the sensory and secretomotor innervation of the middle segment of the face. The tuberal region, in its proximity with the pterygomaxillary fissure, corresponding to the anterior limits of the pterygopalatine fossa, is an important anatomic reference to locate the maxillary artery during surgical hemostasis of epistaxis and to avoid injuries to the maxillary nerve and its branches during regional anesthetic procedures5, . The arterial and nerve branches located in the tuberosity, including the maxillary nerve and artery, are found to be maintained by ligament insertions on the rugosities and/or spine of posterior-superior edge of the pterygopalatine fissure, at the anterior-lateral limit of the lateral lamina of the pterygoid process
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
