Pterygopalatine ganglion
Pterygopalatine Ganglion
The Pterygopalatine Ganglion (pronunciation: ter-ig-o-pal-a-tine gang-le-on), also known as the Sphenopalatine Ganglion, is a parasympathetic ganglion found in the pterygopalatine fossa.
Etymology
The term "Pterygopalatine" is derived from the Greek words "pteryx" meaning wing and "palate" which refers to the roof of the mouth. "Ganglion" is derived from the Greek word "ganglion" meaning a swelling or knot.
Anatomy
The Pterygopalatine Ganglion is the largest of the four parasympathetic ganglia associated with the Trigeminal Nerve. It is located in the pterygopalatine fossa, close to the Sphenopalatine Foramen. It receives sensory, sympathetic, and parasympathetic fibers.
Function
The Pterygopalatine Ganglion provides parasympathetic innervation to the lacrimal gland and mucous glands of the nasal cavity, palate, and pharynx. It also carries sensory information from the nasal cavity, palate, and pharynx back to the brain.
Clinical Significance
The Pterygopalatine Ganglion has been implicated in certain types of headaches and facial pain, including Cluster Headaches and Trigeminal Neuralgia. It is also a target for certain types of surgical interventions and nerve blocks.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pterygopalatine ganglion
- Wikipedia's article - Pterygopalatine ganglion
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski