Pharyngeal canal
Encyclopedia
The palatovaginal canal (also pharyngeal canal) is a canal between the sphenoid bone
and the palatine bone
that connects the nasopharynx
with the pterygopalatine fossa
. An inconstant vomerovaginal canal may lie between the ala of the vomer and the vaginal process of the sphenoid bone, medial to the palatovaginal canal, and lead into the anterior end of the palatovaginal canal. It transmits the pharyngeal branch of the third part of the maxillary artery.
of the maxillary nerve and the Pharyngeal branches of maxillary artery.
, at the roots of the pterygoid process.
The other opening to the palatovaginal canal is located inferiorly and posteriorly in the pterygopalatine fossa.
Sphenoid bone
The sphenoid bone is an unpaired bone situated at the base of the skull in front of the temporal bone and basilar part of the occipital bone.The sphenoid bone is one of the seven bones that articulate to form the orbit...
and the palatine bone
Palatine bone
The palatine bone is a bone in many species of the animal kingdom, commonly termed the palatum .-Human anatomy:...
that connects the nasopharynx
Nasopharynx
The nasopharynx is the uppermost part of the pharynx. It extends from the base of the skull to the upper surface of the soft palate; it differs from the oral and laryngeal parts of the pharynx in that its cavity always remains patent .-Lateral:On its lateral wall is the pharyngeal ostium of the...
with the pterygopalatine fossa
Pterygopalatine fossa
The pterygopalatine fossa is a fossa in the skull. It is the indented area medial to the pterygomaxillary fissure leading into the sphenopalatine foramen.-Boundaries:It has the following boundaries:...
. An inconstant vomerovaginal canal may lie between the ala of the vomer and the vaginal process of the sphenoid bone, medial to the palatovaginal canal, and lead into the anterior end of the palatovaginal canal. It transmits the pharyngeal branch of the third part of the maxillary artery.
Contents
It contains the pharyngeal branchPharyngeal branch
Pharyngeal branch can refer to any one of several different structures near the pharynx:* Nerves** Pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve - "ramus pharyngeus nervi vagi"...
of the maxillary nerve and the Pharyngeal branches of maxillary artery.
Structure
The opening to the palatovaginal canal in the nasal cavity is located near the lateral margin of the ala of the vomerVomer
The vomer is one of the unpaired facial bones of the skull. It is located in the midsagittal line, and articulates with the sphenoid, the ethmoid, the left and right palatine bones, and the left and right maxillary bones.-Biology:...
, at the roots of the pterygoid process.
The other opening to the palatovaginal canal is located inferiorly and posteriorly in the pterygopalatine fossa.